Inuit art: Wall Hanging / Tapestry
Inuit Artist: Irene Avaalaaqiaq RCA
Size: 35”H x 55”W
Community: Baker Lake, NWT 3/25
Stone: Textile / Tapestry
id: caps-9982ejjjy
**This Item is Eligible for our 0% Interest Layaway Plan.
Masterpiece Soft Art! Museum quality Piece!
IRENE AVAALAAQIAQ RCA b 1941 is one of Canada's most renowned Inuit artists.
She began her career in 1969 with small soapstone carvings, often animals with human heads.
Her SIGNATURE pieces are her TEXTILE ART.
Her APPLIQUE and EMBROIDERY talent is self evident in her FELT WALLHANGINGS.
Inuit art enthusiasts may not be aware that Textile art is a large portion of Inuit art.
Irene's work are so remarkable that many of North America's revered Art Galleries (National Gallery of Canada, Winnipeg Art Gallery, The Baltimore Museum of Art ) have included her pieces in their permanent collections.
Just like wall tapestries were coveted during medieval times and into the 1800s, soft Inuit textile art has a rich history.
This particular tapestry is thick (1/2") soft, and is made of the most luxurious felt (wool).
The embroidery is impeccable. The colours are rich and complimentary to the figures.
The picture of the tapestry cannot translate the sensuality of this piece.
You want to keep running your hand over the felt.
Irene was a pillar of her local Inuit community.
Her fame stretched around the world. She was commissioned to craft a tapestry for Canada House in London, England.
Judith Nasby has written a book called "Myth and Reality" which tells Irene's story and honours her long artistic career.
Irene has been in hundreds of exhibitions. In 1999, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law by the University of Guelph.
Nasby's book describes Avaalaaqiaq's wall hangings, her inspirations and the stories behind her imagery.
There is a brief biography about Irene in wikipedia.
ANCESTORS is an INCREDIBLE PIECE OF ART!
There are animals, humans, part animal/part human figures and heads that encircle the piece that are human and animal heads in the Red felt but human heads in the adjacent BLACK felt!
It has a peaceful and serene spirit.
But at the same time, the relationships between the figures invite you slow down and take the time to appreciate this stunning tapestry.
Irene would be so happy to know ANCESTORS has a forever and appreciative home.
PROUDLY CANADIAN SINCE 2007
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