Sivertson Gallery welcomes you to the 14th Annual Inuit Premiere with events Friday March 14th and Saturday March 15th, 2014. This year’s Premiere will feature Inuit Stone Carver Looty Pijamini of Grise Fiord, Nunavut; Tom Chapman, President of the Upper Canadian Native Art; and Throat-Singers Nina Segalowitz and Lydia Etok from the North West Territories and Nunavik. The annual Inuit Premiere is the only one of its kind in the lower 48 United States featuring original Canadian Inuit prints, soapstone carvings and Native Alaskan sculptures formed from walrus tusk, whale bone, baleen and soapstone. The opening weekend events at Sivertson Gallery are free and open to the public.
Looty Pijamini is an Inuit artist who lives and works in Grise Fiord, Nunavut. He was born in Clyde River on Baffin Island, and began carving at the age of twelve. At 15 years of age, Pijamini was carving full time. From that point on, Looty was the recipient of many prestigious awards, taking first place in many respected competitions. Gaining inspiration for his work primarily from the stone, Looty claims the stone suggests a subject or idea to him. Looty Pijamini has created many exquisite commissioned sculptures for private collectors and the Canadian Government. Recently, he was commissioned to build a monument in recognition of the forced High Arctic Relocation which took place in 1955. The monument, located in Grise Fiord, portrays a somber woman with a young boy and husky, looking out to sea. Unveiled in September of 2010, the monument received high praise from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Tom Chapman, President of Upper Canada Native Art, Inc. has been involved in the Canadian Inuit arts economy since the early 1980s. Chapman has traveled extensively in the North and is loved and respected in the communities he visits. Tom has been instrumental in helping to create cottage industries, working directly with artists and bringing their products to the South for sale. His career brings great knowledge and fascinating tales to this year’s Inuit Premiere.
Joining us again this year are the Kattajjak: Nunavik-style Throat-Singers Nina Segalowitz of Fort Smith, NWT and Lydia Etok of Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec. Nina and Lydia will be the Gallery’s featured cultural performers. The artists will engage in four lively and passionate Throat-Singing performances. The first demonstration will be held at Siiviis in Duluth on Friday, March 14th at noon and then again on Saturday at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais at 1pm, 3pm and 6pm. Nina and Lydia always deliver a meaningful cultural experience.
This year’s Inuit Premiere will feature several Cape Dorset Inuit prints (including many by the late Kenojuak Ashevak), countless stone sculpture and native Alaskan Inupiat and Siberian Yupik ivory carvings. This year’s premiere is sure to be a breathtaking presentation and NOT to be missed.
Calender of Events
(Please note that scheduled times are subject to change. Contact or check website for updated information.)
Friday, March 14th
At Siiviis in Duluth:
Noon Kattajjak: Nunavik-style Throat-Singing Nina Segalowitz and Lydia Etok
At Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais:
6pm Social Hour with artist Looty Pijamini, Tom Chapman and Throat-Singers Nina
Segalowitz and Lydia Etok
6:45pm Short Film Screening
Saturday, March 15th
At Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais:
1, 3 & 6pm Kattajjak: Nunavik-style Throat-Singing Performance Nina Segalowitz and Lydia Etok
6:00 pm Fireside chat with Stone Carver Looty Pijamini and Tom Chapman, President of Upper Canada Native, Inc.
Contact Information: abby@sivertson.com
For further information: http://www.sivertson.com
For general lodging information: http://www.grandmarais.com and http://www.visitcookcounty.com
