Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Aug 10/05) - Rankin Inlet carver Patrick Kabluitok was being somewhat rhetorical in July of 2004 when he wondered aloud where his artwork would go from here.

Dr. Mohamed Izzeldin of the Sudan, Africa, proudly displays the lion carving made by Rankin Inlet artist Patrick Kabluitok.

At the time, Kabluitok was in the process of sending one of his creations to Shanghai, China.

The year previous, he had been commissioned by CIBC World Markets to create a piece for its office in Sydney, Australia.

This time around, Kabluitok's work is headed for the Sudan, Africa, making it four continents his work is now displayed on.

"I was very excited when I was contacted by Dr. Mohamed Izzeldin to create a polar bear to take back with him to the Sudan," says Kabluitok. "That excitement became even stronger when he then asked me to carve a lion for him because I had never done such an animal."

Museum donation

Izzeldin spent three months working as a locum in communities across the Kivalliq.

He found out about Kabluitok's carving ability through his roommate in Rankin and contacted him about commissioning his work.

"I wanted the polar bear to donate to the Sudan National Museum, while the lion is for my own personal collection," says Izzeldin. "I have a number of lion carvings done by African artists, and thought it would be quite unique to have one by an Inuit artist. "I must say he did very well, knowing he's never seen a real lion in his life. I'm quite happy with the finished product."

Izzeldin is an avid collector who says he loves the diversity found in art from different cultures.

He says every piece - from the heart of Africa to the top of the world - has a story to tell.

"Our national museum will be quite pleased to have a piece of work that reflects Inuit culture. Because the ancient Sudanese people were Egyptian, when you go to the Sudan National Museum you see many artifacts from the days of the pharaohs.

"The museum owns art from all over the world and now it has an Inuit piece."

As for Kabluitok, he's just proud to have his art displayed in so many countries around the world.

"Who knows where the next phone call about my carvings will come from?

"But, wherever it is, I'll be ready."