 |
|
|
|
|
|
Art brings culture to life Annual market offers something for everyoneDarrell Greer Northern News Services Published Tuesday, November 27, 2012
The artisans at this year's market, held at the Leo Ussak Elementary School gym in Rankin Inlet this past week, fared well despite overall numbers being down due to bad weather. Susan Nuluk of Repulse Bay had her highly-regarded Inuit dolls on display at the market, which ran on Nov. 20 and 21. Nuluk has been making dolls for the past 10 years. She was a major contributor to the Kivalliq Doll Collection, and had her creations among the 65 Inuit dolls exhibited at the Burnaby Art Gallery. Nuluk said her early dolls were quite straightforward, as far as their appearance and accessories, but became far more detailed as the years went past. She said as popular as her dolls are, traditional clothing is among the top items customers ask her about. "It takes me about two weeks to 18 days to make a pair of kamiik and people always ask me about them," said Nuluk. "They make good souvenirs of the North because they're nice to look at and they're still used so much by everyone here. "A teacher who spent time in Repulse, loved my husband's outfit; his parka, pants, mitts and kamiik, so I made them for him and sent them to Ontario." Elder Tony Manernaluk of Rankin Inlet had a number of different items on display at the art market, including a traditional tool used to drill holes. Manernaluk demonstrated the tool to all who asked and enjoyed talking about the importance of traditional Inuit tools. "I enjoy every form of Inuit art, but traditional tools were of such importance to us for a long period of time," said Manernaluk. "You look at something like the pana (snow knife) or the ulu, and they're still being used by many, many people today. "It's, really, up to the people, what they enjoy and want to buy. "But the tools are special and, I think, make very good souvenirs of the Inuit way of life and Nunavut itself."
|
