Walrus

Contemporary Inuit prints were first produced at Cape Dorset in 1957. Although precursors to printmaking can be seen in women's skin applique work and in men's incising of ivory, stone and bone, the impetus for printmaking was as a commercial venture. This venture was established jointly by Inuit artists and John Houston, the civil administrator for Cape Dorset. Other Inuit communities quickly followed the commercial success of Cape Dorset's West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative. Printmaking developed as a communal activity following a Japanese, rather than a Western, model of serigraph production. Each year the cooperatives produce a series of limited edition prints which are sold in the retail art market. In 1965, the Canadian Eskimo Arts Council was established from the Canadian Eskimo Art Committee to ensure high standards were maintained. Printmaking, along with stone carving, provide cash income for communities which have undergone rapid and significant change, during the late 20th century, from traditional hunting based societies to settled communities dependent on consumer goods. The prevalent images depicted in Inuit art are of traditional life, arctic animals and mythology. Recently, contemporary subjects have been depicted by a minority of artists.

The Dorset Cooperative follows Japanese tradition, where printmaking specialists assume responsibility for the print, rather than the artist supervising all aspects of the process. The earliest prints were stone cut and stencil. Copperplate engraving dominated by the early 1960's, with a continuation of printing. Lithographs were introduced in 1972. Artist followed by printmaker when 2 names are given in the artist/maker field. Created as part of a special portfolio of 6 prints for the World Wildlife Fund. Portfolio was created by three artists and is entitled "Eskimos and their Art."

contemporary art

Rectangular shaped print detailing three brown and black walruses with long white tusks. Large recumbent walrus in foreground; head of walrus at left behind first walrus; head and trunk of third walrus at right. At upper right stamped names of artist in Inuit syllabics with Cape Dorset stylized 'red igloo' seal. Below image from side on left: "Walrus stonecut 86/200 Dorset 1977 Kananginak." Canadian Eskimo Arts Council's blind embossed stamp in lower corner on right. Special portfolio stamp blind embossed on lower left.