The Eskimos trace their art culture back to about 4,000 years in some parts of Canada. Small objects such as tools and weapons were used in this cultural art. The art also involved curving of small and tiny animals from the ivory, stones and giant bones that were used in the tradition. The Eskimos drew their inspiration from the lifestyle of fishermen and hunters as well as the vast mythology they had. If you want to know the details of the Eskimo art, then you would consider these aspects.
The "Arctic small-tool tradition" is one of the earliest around 2,000 years BC. The culture represents the earliest occupation of the arctic-North part of America by the Eskimos. Their tools had small cutting edges made from stone. The culture and tradition later branched off into 2 variants. These included the Pre-Dorset Culture on one side and smaller independent cultures and traditions.
In the west of Canada and Greenland, the pre-Dorset culture was thought to have existed around 2,500 BC, and later they became known as the Dorset Nation. People of this time created small tools as well. In the time of the Dorset Nation, artworks of different forms and of different materials became more prevalent, and included things like masks and sculptures, which were considered as figurative artworks.
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.
There was the transition period between the Pre-Dorset and the Dorset periods. At the transition, civilization took new distinct shape across Canada. At about 500 B. C, there was lpiutak art in Alaska. This type of art involved use of same line art with a range of semi human faces, animal representations and human faces in their horrible versions. It also involved markings which were either joint or skeletal.
Out of all animals, wild and domesticated, to have dominated majority of sculpture type and motif art work among this type, the polar bear has been the most common form of inspiration. It has unified culture and given a sense of understanding towards historical culture.
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.
Curved masks were also a common form of art. Finely curved masks with details were used in the 19th century for different rituals. Modern art among the people dates from the 1940's, when development of art by native artists was encouraged by Canadians. Contemporary art among them comprises of curved figures made of smooth soapstone, rough whalebone and ivory.
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 "Arctic small-tool tradition" is one of the earliest around 2,000 years BC. The culture represents the earliest occupation of the arctic-North part of America by the Eskimos. Their tools had small cutting edges made from stone. The culture and tradition later branched off into 2 variants. These included the Pre-Dorset Culture on one side and smaller independent cultures and traditions.
In the west of Canada and Greenland, the pre-Dorset culture was thought to have existed around 2,500 BC, and later they became known as the Dorset Nation. People of this time created small tools as well. In the time of the Dorset Nation, artworks of different forms and of different materials became more prevalent, and included things like masks and sculptures, which were considered as figurative artworks.
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.
There was the transition period between the Pre-Dorset and the Dorset periods. At the transition, civilization took new distinct shape across Canada. At about 500 B. C, there was lpiutak art in Alaska. This type of art involved use of same line art with a range of semi human faces, animal representations and human faces in their horrible versions. It also involved markings which were either joint or skeletal.
Out of all animals, wild and domesticated, to have dominated majority of sculpture type and motif art work among this type, the polar bear has been the most common form of inspiration. It has unified culture and given a sense of understanding towards historical culture.
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.
Curved masks were also a common form of art. Finely curved masks with details were used in the 19th century for different rituals. Modern art among the people dates from the 1940's, when development of art by native artists was encouraged by Canadians. Contemporary art among them comprises of curved figures made of smooth soapstone, rough whalebone and ivory.
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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