Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (May 29/02) - The show is over and the reviews are in. All indications are an exhibition of Baker Lake sculpture that wrapped up its run at Nunavut's legislative assembly last week was a tremendous success.

Entitled "An Inuit Perspective," the exhibit had been featured at the legislative assembly since March 4.

Baker Lake Inuit Heritage Centre (Itsarnittakarvik) manager David Webster and artist Josiah Nuilaalik travelled to Iqaluit to launch the exhibit.

An Inuit Perspective features 34 sculptures selected from the Art Gallery of Ontario's Samuel and Esther Sarick Collection.

In addition to Nuilaalik, the exhibit features the work of such notable Baker artists as Luke Iksiktaaryuk, John Kavik, Lucy Tunguaq and Miriam Qiyuk.

Webster says the exhibition first opened in Baker Lake on July 1, 2001, before setting out on its current international tour.

He says the Baker arts community is pleased about the exhibit, because it's the first one the Inuit Heritage Centre has put out on its won.

Since its opening, the exhibit has travelled to the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto in addition to its Iqaluit run.

It now travels to Florida from Iqaluit.

"It feels so good to be finally putting out something of our own, rather than borrowing all the time," says Webster. "We're not putting out a Mickey Mouse project here. This is a first class, beautiful exhibit."

Webster says the Inuit Heritage Centre wanted to ensure the exhibit wasn't only shown in Southern Canada or the States, but also in Nunavut for other artists who travel through the capital to see and appreciate.

He says the centre has received many positive comments from people on the Iqaluit showing.

"We're very pleased we were able to show it in the capital. Wherever An Inuit Perspective travels, the exhibit is promoting Nunavut and Inuit art, especially Baker Lake art."