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.
The Pre-Dorset culture was in 2,500 BC in areas of Northwestern Canada and parts of Western Greenland. Small tools were still common in this period just like in earlier years. The Pre-Dorset period evolved to become the Dorset Nation. This was around 500 BC and in this period, art started having a distinct impact in society, with common materials such as bones, ivory and stones. The most common was figurative art, which involved production of art like masks and sculptures.
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.
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.
The historic and modern eras have seen diversity among this form of art, inspired by nature, necessity and creativity. Introduction of textiles within the Inuit form of art around the 1940's saw life-size sculptures come into play and art among the Eskimo took a different root.
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.
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.
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.
The Pre-Dorset culture was in 2,500 BC in areas of Northwestern Canada and parts of Western Greenland. Small tools were still common in this period just like in earlier years. The Pre-Dorset period evolved to become the Dorset Nation. This was around 500 BC and in this period, art started having a distinct impact in society, with common materials such as bones, ivory and stones. The most common was figurative art, which involved production of art like masks and sculptures.
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.
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.
The historic and modern eras have seen diversity among this form of art, inspired by nature, necessity and creativity. Introduction of textiles within the Inuit form of art around the 1940's saw life-size sculptures come into play and art among the Eskimo took a different root.
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.
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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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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