The History Of Eskimo Art

By Lawanda Burch


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.

About 2,000 years B. C, there was the arctic small tool tradition and this was actually among the very first ones. It depicts what the Eskimos who were residents of the arctic north of America did. The kind of tools they used featured small cutting edges and was made out of stone. Later, this tradition would split into two options which were pre-Dorset tradition and the smaller independent 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 Dorset period dominated most parts of Northeastern Canada from 900 to 1,100 AD. Greenland hosted Vikings towards the south and spread into Iceland. According to many historians, the interactions between native Eskimos and Vikings were represented in Dorset masks that portrayed European facial features. These included longer noses and that some of the masks appeared to have head gears, which was a typical practice among 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 polar bear remains the greatest inspiration for art among the Eskimos. Nevertheless, there have been several animals both wild and domestic that have been commonly used in the sculpture and the motif art. It has successfully integrated the art culture of the Eskimos and highlighted the history of these unique people.

In the past and even today, there has been a wide range in the art of the Eskimos. This has been inspired greatly by nature, need and imagination. During 1940s for instance, textile was introduced to the Inuit art of the Eskimo and this enabled creation of sculptures that are life size which also leveraged the art of this people.

During the 19th century, curved masks came into existence and these were used for varied rituals among the Eskimos. Even though we can trace back the history of modern art amongst the Eskimos to 1940s, we need to appreciate the support that Canadians have injected into this art. Today, this art features curved images that are made from soapstone, rough whalebone as well as ivory.

The Eskimos are part of historic culture as well as present times, and their impact on society is of importance. Other smaller groups of people in the Arctic region are of equal importance, and the Canadian Government has taken them into consideration. Eskimo art is therefore something to be treasured and preserved.




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