Eskimo art in Canada has a history that dates back a few thousand years, and it depicts the culture and lifestyle of Eskimos. They were hunters by nature, catching their food on land and in the water, and much of the discovered artwork revolves around their way of life in this regard. They had small items that could have been used as weaponry, or as tools for other tasks, and some of their work entailed animals made of ivory, bones and stone.
The first of the Eskimos were believed to have been the 'Arctic small-tool tradition', inhabiting the most northern and arctic parts of America about 2,000 years BC. The arctic residents of this early age made tools from stone with sharp edges for cutting purposes. Some time later the pre-Dorset culture developed on one side of the region, while the other side was inhabited by smaller, independent cultural groups.
Pre-Dorset culture was in existence about 2,500 B. C in Northwestern Canada and extended to parts of Western Greenland. The period featured small tools same as was the case in earlier periods and around 500 B. C it developed into being the Dorset Nation. It was around this time that art took shape and made more sense to the society. Materials like bones, ivory and stones were predominant. The kind of art that prevailed during this period was the figurative art where masks and sculptures were produced.
The masks also showed the significance of the encounters between the Eskimos and the Vikings. The Vikings inhabited the south of Greenland, and later Iceland, while the Dorset people were found in many areas of Northeastern Canada. The masks of the time period 900 to 1,100 AD showed European facial characteristics, with long noses and also head gear, such as those worn by the Vikings.
Different communities were also present in Canada during the change-over period from the pre-Dorset to Dorset time, such as the Ipiutak people about 500 BC. Their forms of art portrayed half-human faces, more beastly-like faces of man and some animal works. Included as well were some of skeletons.
The great, white bear of the north, commonly known as the polar bear, inspired much of the Eskimo's artworks. This bear is often associated with culture of Eskimos, and has been shown throughout their history. Many sculptures and motifs were developed of this magnificent creature.
In more recent years, the artworks of Eskimos has changed. Different materials were used, but they still often represented nature. The Inuit artworks of the 1940's were often of larger sculptural forms.
Masks were still common in the nineteenth century, but they were curved, and used in various rituals. There were contemporary artworks as well, mostly of curved figures made out of ivory and soapstone, as well as coarser whale bones. In the 1940's, Canadians also encouraged the skills of the native artists.
Yes, the government of Canada has given enough support to Eskimo art. They realize that it really impacts on the economy. No wonder, they have supported the preservation of the modern and ancient art of the Eskimos.
The first of the Eskimos were believed to have been the 'Arctic small-tool tradition', inhabiting the most northern and arctic parts of America about 2,000 years BC. The arctic residents of this early age made tools from stone with sharp edges for cutting purposes. Some time later the pre-Dorset culture developed on one side of the region, while the other side was inhabited by smaller, independent cultural groups.
Pre-Dorset culture was in existence about 2,500 B. C in Northwestern Canada and extended to parts of Western Greenland. The period featured small tools same as was the case in earlier periods and around 500 B. C it developed into being the Dorset Nation. It was around this time that art took shape and made more sense to the society. Materials like bones, ivory and stones were predominant. The kind of art that prevailed during this period was the figurative art where masks and sculptures were produced.
The masks also showed the significance of the encounters between the Eskimos and the Vikings. The Vikings inhabited the south of Greenland, and later Iceland, while the Dorset people were found in many areas of Northeastern Canada. The masks of the time period 900 to 1,100 AD showed European facial characteristics, with long noses and also head gear, such as those worn by the Vikings.
Different communities were also present in Canada during the change-over period from the pre-Dorset to Dorset time, such as the Ipiutak people about 500 BC. Their forms of art portrayed half-human faces, more beastly-like faces of man and some animal works. Included as well were some of skeletons.
The great, white bear of the north, commonly known as the polar bear, inspired much of the Eskimo's artworks. This bear is often associated with culture of Eskimos, and has been shown throughout their history. Many sculptures and motifs were developed of this magnificent creature.
In more recent years, the artworks of Eskimos has changed. Different materials were used, but they still often represented nature. The Inuit artworks of the 1940's were often of larger sculptural forms.
Masks were still common in the nineteenth century, but they were curved, and used in various rituals. There were contemporary artworks as well, mostly of curved figures made out of ivory and soapstone, as well as coarser whale bones. In the 1940's, Canadians also encouraged the skills of the native artists.
Yes, the government of Canada has given enough support to Eskimo art. They realize that it really impacts on the economy. No wonder, they have supported the preservation of the modern and ancient art of the Eskimos.
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For some great examples of Eskimo art take a look at alaskanstonewoman.com. To learn all about the legend of the Alaskan Stone Woman go now to http://alaskanstonewoman.com.
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