Art & Virtue — a story of Inuit Tradition —

Somewhere deep within the void of collective consciousness and imagination lies the idea, the concept, or image yet to be discovered and revealed to the world. An artist whittles away at a mass of stone, in search of the meaning beyond ordinary appearances.

The Inuit people in the vast Reindeer Tundra region of Northwest Canada have long held a tradition which occupies them during the long winter seasons, a time of prolonged darkness over the land. While the weather graciously permits, they travel a great distance along the northern coast of the Artic Sea to hunt, fish, and gather fuel and other necessities for surviving the coming winter. They search at length below the icy waters along the rocky coastline, gathering soapstone of specific sizes, shapes, and densities for carving. If possible, they will bring back ivory, walrus tooth, serpentine, or other materials to also use for their carvings.

“They believe that in the midst of the rock resides the
form of an image that was always there...”

Safe at home and huddled around the warmth of the fireplace, an Inuit family endures the arduous winter, passing the time with games, songs, crafts and storytelling. Below the soft, superficial face of a soapstone lies an epic tale rich with meaning and morals that the Inuit father will relate to his children for many hours and over generations of time, as he patiently carves away at the stone's outer layers. They believe that in the midst of the rock resides the form of an image that was always there — enshrouded in both character and virtue, but mired within an undesirable crust, until now, when master's hands have completed the work of uncovering this buried piece of treasure. Now the revelation of a work of art gradually appears, full of spiritual meaning and virtue that had been hidden from the light of day.

To Get Started with a Proposal and Price Quote
Call Gary at (951) 351-9500 or (951) 733-2970