Grey Dog Trading Company features Inuit (pronounced EE-new-EET) sculpture in our gallery. Kent makes regular trips to Canada and brings back wonderful Inuit art. This is an exciting area with many talented artists, and some of the nicest people he has met. We hope you will enjoy the creativity, spirituality, and good humor in the work as much as we do.

First some basics that may be of interest. The term Inuit has replaced Eskimo, which is considered a derogatory term. Inuit has long been the name these aboriginal people of northern Canada have called themselves. They primarily inhabit coastal areas of northern Quebec (Nunavik), the newly created territory of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

Carving is an Inuit tradition dating back centuries. Stone carving gained popularity in the late 1940's due to a few dedicated individuals and encouragement from the Canadian government. It was seen as both a medium for artistic expression as well a boon for the local economies. As with many art forms, styles have evolved and changed over the years. Early pieces were usually representational, with more whimsy and drama appearing over time. Naturalistic, abstract and surrealistic animal and human forms as well as shamanic and mythological figures appear in Inuit sculpture. Different geographic areas have also focused on distinct styles and subject matter.

Typical materials used for carving include the related stones: serpentine, serpentinite, steatite and soapstone, as well as argillite, marble, antler, whalebone and ivory. Tools used in the carving process range from rasps and saws to power grinders with diamond blades. Final steps include filing and wet sanding. A coating (often of beeswax or candlewax) may be added to shine and protect the piece.