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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Joe Ashoona presented carvings at Birchwood Gallery for the first time this month. An exhibit of his bone and stone work is on display alongside carvings by his mother Goota Ashoona and his father Bob Kussy.

Ashoona has made a name for himself in the Northern arts community in recent years, carving in alabaster, Dorset stone, black chlorite, and occasionally whale bone.

Joe Ashoona has made a name for himself in the Northern arts community in recent years, carving in alabaster, Dorset stone, black chlorite, and occasionally whale bone. - Daron Letts/NNSL photos

Since he was a teenager his work has long been sold through the Gallery of the Midnight sun and at the Ashoona Family Studio, now located next to Quality Furniture on Franklin Avenue.

"He has improved greatly over the last year," said friend and fellow carver Bob Galipeau. "His shapes are realistic and his finishing has improved. He carves almost every day."

With tools purchased through a GNWT grant, Ashoona is preparing a polar bear carving that he will install in a display at the Edmonton airport next week. He hopes to participate in cultural programming at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

This summer he will visit Haida G'waii with his family to collaborate with Haida artists.

"It's going to be fun to see what other people carve and what materials and tools they use," he said.

Born in Cape Dorset, Ashoona moved to Yellowknife with his family at age six. He began carving seriously at age 14.

Birchwood Gallery owner Tony Whitier describes the young carver as an artist to keep watching.

"I think he's going to be a master," said Whitier. "He's extremely good. If he keeps it up I can't help but think he will be highly prized."

Ashoona plans to keep it up.

"Carving has always been around me," he said. "It's what I do."