Frozen in Metal

Graduation Day!

2010-04-26T10:33:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to the 2010 grads of the NAC Jewellery and Metalwork Program!
Patrick Aula, Myles Gauthier, Kaajuk Kabalik, Joe Macpa and Silas Qulaut received their first year certificates!

On behalf of the instructors, Beata, Kirk, Gyu and Erin, we would like to congratulate all of you for a successful and fun year! We are very proud of everything you all have accomplished and we look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Have a great summer!

The Last Edition

2010-04-15T13:56:00.003-04:00

For the last 2 weeks of class, the lovely Gyu has returned, this time to teach us the art of Printmaking. We have been working on linocut, woodcut and etching, making limited edition prints. Printmaking has been a popluar method of art making in the Inuit culture since the 1950's. In many printshops throughout Nunavut, the work is divided between: the Artists, who draw the original image; the Carvers, who carve the image into stone or lino; and the Printers, who ink the plates and make the final prints. In our case, we have doing all three steps in the process and have gotten some great results. A few of the prints will be entered in the BMO 1st Art competition, which is an annual nation wide-art competetion for post-secondary students in every privince and territory.

Open House

2010-04-15T13:26:00.004-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Open House Show and Sale. It was a great success! We had the metalshop open for demonstrations and a station set up for visitors to try their hand at some metalwork. We were all excited to get the chance to show off our skills and sell our work. The crowds were nonstop and gave us really great feed back.

Check out a few pictures from the sale:

Open House Show and Sale

2010-03-22T15:45:00.001-04:00

The Jewellery and Metalwork students are pleased to present

Open House Show and Sale

Saturday, April 10th

10 am to 4pm

Building 619 (next to post office)

Students will be demonstrating jewellery making techniques

There will be a wide variety of jewellery, prints and artowrk for sale.

New work my Joe Macpa

2010-03-22T15:29:00.004-04:00

KILLER WHALE PENDENT

1.27” diameter
Sterling Silver
Cut out
1.13” inside diameter
Chased shape of killer whale

This piece is about the accomplish to me that I did in the past; I made it to heal my soul and my brain. Helps me to be brave and have strength to go for my goal.

INUKSHUK PENDENT

This piece of Inukshuk is about the past, from my grandpa to me past and future. It helps me to do some carving and shaping the stone neatly and accuret.Im proud to be an inuk.

2” top to bottom
1”3/8 diameter
Sterling silver
Cut out
Chased outline
Inukshuk

New Work by Myles Gauthier

2010-03-22T14:54:00.003-04:00

This is called the circling fish. It is made of copper and sterling silver. The reason why I made this design was because the town I come from, “Iqaluit”, means place with many fish. It resembles where I am from and also my appreciation to my home town.

More work by Myles

New work by Kaajuk Kabalik

2010-03-22T14:32:00.003-04:00

Tattooed arms
This piece was inspired from a few different places. First off the idea for the hands and arms came from my wife and how it hugs whoever wears it. The traditional tattoos idea came from the fact that my great grandmother had these tattoos from her head down to her feet. The hands of this piece were from a picture of my own hands, it was to bring my actual touch to the piece.

Shaman’s Drum
This piece is called Shaman’s Drum. It was inspired by how I believe drum dancers go on a trip when they are drumming. The shamans faces in the drum depicts how although the drummer is there in the flesh, they are actually tapping into the ways of the past and translating it through a song and drum. The 3 heads show this by the main face being in the present and the other 2 looking back into the past.

More work by Kaajuk:

New work by Jutanie Arnakaq

2010-03-22T14:24:00.003-04:00

Snow Goggles

Snow goggles made with sterling silver, hand made it’s shows our culture. They used them in spring time to protect their eyes from the sun when they out hunting or when they going spend some time outside. In old days they were using caribou antler to make snow goggles. Now a days they don’t really use them because we use sun glasses now.

Inuksuk with Kayak
Inuksuk with kayak: made with sterling silver. I choose to make it because it’s shows our culture and that they still use it now, Inuksuk can tell you were to go hunting or tells you where you are going in other words (direction). You can make inuksuk all kinds of different ways. Kayak was the most important in old days. They used it for going hunting on water and for transportation. Kayak usually made out of seal skin and it’s water proof.

New work by Silas Qulaut

2010-03-22T14:15:00.003-04:00

DRUM DACERS

22 in x 2.5 in
Drum dancers and the women (the singer) are sterling silver and the chain is silver.

Drum Dancing is part of Inuit culture and I like drum dancing.
Just to watch them dance is a new lesson for me, and I learned that in different culture they have different drum dance.
I want to show what inuit traditional drum dance is like.

SNOWY OWL
Sterling silver
3in x 2 in

Snowy owl are interesting arctic birds.
They are good hunters, they hunt lemmings and rabbits.
They can grow as long as 50 – 60 inches wingspan that’s about 5 feet.

Vancouver Trip 2010 - Day 8

2010-03-10T12:40:00.011-05:00

Feb 28 Our last day in Vancouver

We spent the morning and early afternoon at the Aboriginal Artisan Village again. The downtown core of Vancouver was crazy busy because of the gold metal hockey game that was on that afternoon. (We were all very excited when they won! Go Canada Go!) We left the trade show a little early because we needed to head back to residence to pack and get ready to catch our plane home.

Overall, we all had a fantastic time in Vancouver. The days were busy, overwhelming and tiring, and sometimes it was hard and uncomfortable to be outside of our element. But in the end, we only come home with great memories, real life learning experiences, and a once in a lifetime opportunity we will never forget!

A big NAKURMIIK and THANK YOU to Kakivak, the President and Dean of the Nunavut Arctic College, Lyn at Green College, Susan at the Museum of Anthropology, Ippik at Emily Carr, Madeline at UBC, Mark (for being so helpful around town!) and all the fun and interesting people we met who made us feel so welcome.

Here are a few more fun pictures from the trip. Enjoy!

Green College

Around UBC Campus No polar dip for us!

Cool stuff around town

Biggest flag we've ever seen!

At the Northern House
With the Premier of Nunavut

With the Mayor of Iqaluit

Joe with fox

Henry's art at the Northren House

Mammoth tusk

Olympic Spirit!

We all got to go to a concert at a Victory Ceremony.

Vancouver Trip 2010 - Day 7

2010-03-10T11:54:00.007-05:00

Feb 27 Day one of the First Host Nations Aboriginal Artisan Village

The Aboriginal Artisan Village was held at the Vancouver Community College downtown campus. We had the opportunity to show and sell our work there for the last two days of our trip.

This was a great business experience and learning opportunity for us. There were many different types of arts and crafts at the market. We met many different people from all over the country who were selling there work: Haida, Micmac, Salish and many more. We were the only group of Inuit artists there, so our work was really unique!

Our booth was really popular, which gave us the opportunity to talk to many people from all over the world!

Vancouver Trip 2010 - Day 6

2010-03-08T13:25:00.010-05:00

Joe drum dancing!

Feb 26

The day before our sale, we spent the morning at our residence going through all of our work, finishing up details, putting on cords and pricing work. In the afternoon, Henry, Patrick, Myles and Rose had the opportunity to show their work at the Northern House. There was another great crowd of interested on lookers! To add some fun to the afternoon, Silas was invited to demonstrate his high kick ability. He was amazing! We were all very impressed. After the arctic games demontration we saw Godson perform is awesome northern hip hop. Great show!

Silas shows off his high flying skills

Checking out Godson's show at the Northern House

At Green College caffeteria, getting ready for the big sale!

As an added bonus, we went to see Avatar in 3D at a huge movie theatre that night. It was awesome!

Vancouver Trip 2010 - Day 5

2010-03-08T12:03:00.007-05:00

Feb 25

Today we had our first opportunity to showcase our work at the Northern House Pavilion. Silas, Kaajuk and Jutanie displayed their work and spoke to the eager crowds about life and art making in the north.

Great crowd of interested people!

In the afternoon, we bused out to Burnaby to hit up Mountain Gems, a great rock and gem store. The staff were really helpful and friendly as they helped us each pick out stones. We each got to choose out own gems and stones, so we could bring them home to learn gem setting.

Like kids in a candy store!

Vancouver Trip 2010 - Day 4

2010-03-04T13:33:00.009-05:00

Feb 24

Today was a fun day! We got the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park early in the morning. There were so many strange and interesting creatures to see! We were all impressed at the Canadian Arctic exhibit, and even saw photos of people and places we knew in the exhibit. We watched the beluga swim from a window bellow the surface of the tank. They were really beautiful! We also saw amazing animals from the Amazon and the BC coast.

One of the Belguas spitting water at the crowd!

From under the water. I view we don't see very often.

Moon jelly fish are magical to watch.

View from inside!

Colourful starfish

Our awesome glasses for the 4D movie about shallow oceans. We got sprayed by waves, attacked by sea snakes and got to swim with plankton. (or so it seemed!)

As if the Aquarium wasn't awesome enough, we spent the afternoon at the Capilano Suspension Bridge, in the middle of the gorgeous lush westcoast rain forest.

Totem poles in the park

Posing with some old timers

Crossing the bridge. It was 230 feet above the river and 450 feet across!

Learning about the forest

Tree hugging hippies...

Tree top walk

Huge trees!

Chating an interpreter native the the region. He told us some stories about the totem poles and the region. He was a pleasure to meet!

We all made it safely back across the bridge and home after an eventful and exciting day!

Vancouver Trip 2010 - Day 3

2010-03-03T16:18:00.008-05:00

Feb 23rd
First thing in the morning, we head to the Museum of Anthropology on the UBC campus. We are greeted by Susan Rowley, professor and curator of circumpolar archaeology. She had some interesting and fantastic pieces to show us. We saw work done by the local first nations, as well as lots of great Inuit art from all over the north.

Susan explaining the beautiful stone mosaic outside the MOA. We were all amazed by the intricate stone work.

Silas finds a chessboard carved by his grandfather!

Line up of Kamiks

Carving by Bill Reid depicted on the $20 bill.

Amazing gold work by Bill Reid. Very inspiring!

After lunch, we spent the afternoon getting a tour of Emily Carr University of Art and Design. We were greeted by Ippiksaut Friesen, a 3rd year animation student from Ranket Inlet. Ippik was thrilled to have some fellow Nunavummiut in Vancouver and gave us a great tour all around campus. A tour of the fantastic metal shop

Nice view!

Our lovely tour guide Ippiksaut
The film studio In front of the green screen

Sharing our work with students from ECUAD

Tired bus ride home after a long educational day!

Vancouver Trip 2010 - Day 2

2010-03-03T15:52:00.007-05:00

Inuksuit everywhere!

Feb 22nd

Another lovely sunny day! We take the bus downtown to check out a few jewellery and metal supply shops. There was so much to look at! We find a few goodies to take back to the studio in Iqaluit.

On our way to lunch, we came across lots of cool public art.

Dim Sum in Chinatown!

Yummy...

In November the Olympic flame came through Iqaluit. Here is the flame while it was burning in Vancouver. Even thought we could only see it from behind a fence, we all felt like proud and fortunate Canadians!

Vancouver Trip 2010 - Day 1

2010-03-03T15:03:00.006-05:00

Feb 21st
We arrived in Vancouver on a warm, sunny Sunday morning, excited for the busy week to come. For most of us, it was the first time we'd seen the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Ocean and flowers in February!

Waiting at the Iqaluit Airport. We left our parka's behind!

Flying over the Rockies

Finally in Vancouver!

On our way to the UBC residence that would be our home for the next week.

Once we were all settled in to our lovely accomodations at Green College at UBC, we made our way downtown. We were all astonished at the amount of people roaming the streets! What a culture shock!

The crowd on Granville St. as we headed towards the Northern House.

Proud Nunavummiut in front of the Northern House's poster of Pangnirtung. We arrived on Nunavut day and saw great demonstrations of Arctic games, music and fashion. We all felt like VIPs becuase we never had to wait in the long line up to get into the northern pavillion!

We all got a chance to check out an Olympic event while we were in Van.

Myles and Jutanie show off their tickets to the Men's Hockey Canada vs. USA. LUCKY!

Vancouver Bound!

2010-02-12T09:38:00.008-05:00

It's official! We are going to the Olympics!!

We have been invited to head down to Vancouver, along with a number of other Nunavummiut artists, performers and athletes to showcase to the world what the north has to offer! We are all ecstatic about this opportunity to show our work down south and to check out Vancouver.

Silas working at his bench

The studio has been busy day and night as we prepare for the trip. We will be selling our jewellery at the Richmond Art Market, which will be filled with people from all over the world. What great exposure!

Kirk and Kaajuk bending metal to form a bracelet

In addition to the market, we will be visiting the Emily Carr University of Art and Design, as well as the Native Education Centre's Northwest Coast Jewellery Arts Program. We are looking forward to engaging in a cultural exchange with the art students in Vancouver.

Rose is already sporting her Olympic gear!

Fingers crossed we get tickets to some Olympic events!

Joe and Patrick keeping busy with production

Here are a few cuff bracelets that are in the works:

Kaajuk

Henry

Jutanie

Patrick

Myles

Silas

Joe

Stone Carving

2010-01-25T16:59:00.006-05:00

Here we are working on our serpentine stone carvings. We carved the stone by hand, as it would have been done before all the fancy power tools. We were all surprised how soft the stone was and how easily the pieces took shape. Check out the earlier post "Stones that speak" to see the finished art work!

Art Around Town

2010-01-22T19:20:00.003-05:00

Many of the students who come to the NAC Jewellery and Metalwork program already work and live as artists. This a sample of work that is being made by some of the students outside of the classroom. Be sure to check back once in a while, as this post will be updated as they bring in more work for us to look at!

Polar Bear

Patrick Aula

Serpentine carving

approx 6" x 10"

Standing Shaman

Silas Qulaut

Antler, wood and stone

approx 12" high

Stones that speak

2010-01-20T21:16:00.007-05:00

Traditionally, carvings are the most popular form of Inuit art. We are happy to have had the opportunity to try out our carving skills. Some students are experienced carvers and have been doing it for years, others picked up a chisel for the first time. Here are a few carvings done by our students at the NAC Jewellery and Metalwork program.

Patrick Aula

Kaajuk Kabalik

Joe Macpa

Myles Gauthier

Henry Mike

Silas Qulaut

Our Ancestors

2010-01-14T15:16:00.012-05:00

A brief history of the Inuit people and Inuit Art.

The only pre-Dorest artwork found
Ivory replica by Henry Mike

The first Palaeo Eskimo people known to have occupied the northern region of Canada are the Dorset or Tuniit people. They are thought to have come to this region over the Bering Straight and lived here from 800 BC to 1300 AD. The Dorset were large and timid people who first used snow houses (igloos) which they warmed with kudlik (special lamps for burning oil.) Carvings were made for shaman and ritualistic purposes.

Ivory replicas of Dorest carvings

Jutanie

Silas

Patrick

Silas

Joe

The Thule people came in the second migration, around 1100 AD. The mongolian descendants are the direct ancestors of today's Inuit people. The Thule were highly developped whalers and had more advanced technologies, such as dog teams, and bow and arrows. Eventually the Thule pushed the Dorset people out and occupied the area were they had lived all the way east to Greenland. Thule carving were made as toys and games and well as house hold items, like tools and combs.

Ivory replicas of Thule carving

Myles

Kaajuk

Rose

Between 1500 and 1700, there was a little ice age. The oceans froze farther out and for longer periods of time. There were changes in the distribution of animals.The Thule who had lived in large groups along the coastlines, were forced to break into smaller groups and move inland to hunt caribou.

Patrick

The beginning of the Historic Period began in the 1700's when outsiders began to arrive in these parts. Explorers, such as Martin Frobisher, arrived but had little influence on the Thule, as they never stayed too long. Whalers from Europe started coming around 1850, settling here during the long winters and relied on the Inuit for food and harsh winter survival. Later, Traders came to collect furs to sell down south. They traded supplies and food for fur pelts caught by the Inuit. Although traditionally hunters where greatly respected in the communities, trapping became the best way to make money.

During the depression in the 1930's, fur was no longer a desirable commodity and trapper needed a new way to make money. They would trade carvings with outsiders to get supplies. This was a transitional period for Inuit culture and art, as carving changed in function and meaning. They were no longer made for amulets, tools or toys. They became art objects. (There isn't even a word for "art" in Inuktitut!) There was a change in the choice and depiction of subject matter. The carvings became larger, free-standing and decorative, illustrating scenes of everyday life, hunting or animals. They also had more protruding extremities (legs, antlers) as they were no longer carried around by nomadic people. Foreign and untraditional subject matter started appearing in Inuit art, influenced from the outsiders, who also introduced new materials (photography, drawing and watercolours.)

Antler etching (scrimshaw) in the style of the Historic Period

Myles

Henry

Jutanie

Kaajuk

Inuit art was introduced to the south in 1949, with an extremely successful exhibition in Montreal. But we'll save the story of James Houston and his promotion of Inuit art for another day!

Back at it!

2010-01-13T08:53:00.007-05:00

Our class January 2010; left to right: Gyu (art history instructor), Partick (seated), Silas, Rose, Kaajuk, Erin (drawing instructor), Myles, Jutanie, Joe, Henry.

Missing: jewellery instructors Kirk and Beata.

Back in class after the holidays, we've been studying Inuit Art History with the lovely Gyu Oh. We've been learning about the history of the people of this region, and the art they made. We have also learned to carve in ivory and engrave into antler just like our ancestors (eccept we have the advantage of power tools!) For many of us, it was our first time carving. The more experienced carvers gave us some good tips and blews us all away with there speed and skill. Besides the constant demand for band aids, we have really enjoyed carving in the studio!

Rose joins us after taking a semster off last year. We are pleased to have her back! It's great to have a bit of female persepective in the classroom :)

Caribou Gyu

Lessons in carving

Rose hard at work

Musk ox Myles

Goofing around in the studio

Silas's ivory mask

First Semester Complete!

2009-12-18T10:33:00.007-05:00

Projects are finished. Tests have been written. Studios are all cleaned.

The last few months have flown by! We have had a great semester learning all the basics of metalwork, business and art history. Each new project we completed is just one more skill under our belts.

We are pleased with what we have accomplished so far and look forward to what is to come in the next semester!

Read on to hear our thoughts on our experiences in the Jewellery and Metalwork program so far!

Silver Igloo ring with seal and Kamatik by Silas Qulaut

Henry Mike

2009-12-18T10:22:00.002-05:00

Repeat Pendant, Silver, 2009

There are many things that I’ve learned in this program. Pretty much everything in the jewellery studio is new to me, from cutting the metal to polishing it and there are many new tools that I’ve laid my hands on for the first time, some I never even thought would work. In the history class, I’ve learned so much, the origins and cultures in the jewellery or metalwork. Techniques used to make jewellery and who, how and when they used it. History had made me appreciate art even more.
What I like about this program is that it’s a hands on program. Working with metal helps me center my emotions or thoughts when I have a “rainy day.” I also like it because I could bring my art to life with metal from paper. That’s what I’ve learned and like about this program.

Silas Qulaut

2009-12-18T10:03:00.003-05:00

Shaman/Raven Hollow Pendant, Cooper and Silver, 2009

What I've learned

At first we learned how to saw. We did lots of sawing tests and it was fun. Then we did riveting. It was challenging for me. I learned a lot from this studio. I like it. It's like a job. I never have thought there was a school that is so hands on. I like to work with my hands. I am hoping to get to know jewellery and metalwork, and all about buisness and communications.

Kaajuk Kabalik

2009-12-18T09:58:00.003-05:00

Fish Hollow Pendant, Copper, 2009

The semester has gone by and quite quickly I might add. I have learned many skills with metal and also some history on jewelry art. Also I have learned many new drawing and art skills along with some business and communication.
What I enjoyed the most was the hands-on part of metal work and jewelry making. Learning skills like chasing, soldering, texturing, polishing, and making my own chasing tools out of tool steel were some of the high lights for me this semester.
Also drawing & design class was great because I learned many styles of drawing such as subtractive drawing with charcoal, perspective drawing with a horizon and vanishing point, and + and – spaces involving shapes.
These were just a few of my favorite parts of the program that I had great fun with, but all in all it was a great experience for this semester.

Joe Macpa

2009-12-18T09:53:00.003-05:00

Standing Bear Hollow Pendant, Copper & Brass, 2009

Jutanie Arnakaq

2009-12-18T09:40:00.004-05:00

Owl Hollow Pendant, Copper, 2009

I learned in art class how to draw and how to use water paint. In History, I learned about different regions and what their styles looks like. I learned how to make perfect business cards and posters, and I learned more about the computer. In the studio, I learned about metal, how to cut metal, how to solder, the meaning of tools, how to high polish the metal, how to use the torch properly, and the most important is how to decide what you are going to make with the metal.

Myles Gauthier

2009-12-18T09:33:00.004-05:00

Harpoon head Hollow Pendant, Copper, 2009

In Jewellery and Metal work I have learnt about how to properly advertise my art work, for example through the internet and radio.
I also learnt different kinds of art. I didn’t know art could go so far. Self-portraits and even the wire art are beautiful. Working with charcoal to make self-portraits was challenging but it was very fun because I hated charcoal and I was never good with paintings and things like that. I like to push myself further in anything I do because when I push myself I learn more then I did if I hadn’t pushed myself.
Before I thought my art work wasn’t good enough to sell, but during this semester I learnt that self-motivation was a key part in selling your art work. If I hadn’t done the art sale I still wouldn’t think my art is good. Seeing people who actually wanted my art work was a good feeling, and now every time I make art I think about that feeling and motivate myself to work up to it.
Advertising also played a key part in selling my art work because without it I might not have sold very much. Learning different ways of advertising like handing out flyers is not only worth it but also a fun process. Making the flyers or even talking to people about putting your art work out there is very exciting.

In the jewellery studio I learnt about soldering and how to make my own tools. I was always scared to go anywhere near a torch but now it doesn’t scare me. Soldering was very interesting to see because of the way the metal melted together and how it looks like the solder isn’t even there. I didn’t think making tools was even possible, now I see how it is done and it’s a bit of a long process but it’s neat to see how different metal reacts to heat and how you have to be careful of how you heat up the metal.

My favorite part of this course was meeting new people. I think everyone was awesome!

Patrick Aula

2009-12-15T15:31:00.004-05:00

Bear Hollow pendant, Brass, Copper and Silver, 2009

What I learned this semester:

Start with a material that is copper, silver or brass and make the piece in to a sculpture. The only way to make the material in to a sculpture is to start sawing filing and sanding it. After that anneal and texture or chase the material and make the art. Then polish the piece with green rouge first and wash it with soap to get it clean so that you can polish with red rouge.

Nunavut Rocks!

2009-12-07T16:15:00.010-05:00

Last week we were given a presentation by Massoud Robatian, a geologist from INAC. He showed us all kinds of rocks, minerals and gemstones that are found here on Baffin Island.

We learned about the Moh Scale, which determines the hardness of minerals, and also the Crystal Systems which indicate the different shapes of minerals and how they form. Massoud taught us the difference between minerals and rocks, as well as, what characteristics classify a gemstone. The magnetic rocks were really interesting. We were all impressed that the magnetic pull from a rock could be so strong! We were told how the different elements on the periodic table influenced the colours of minerals and gemstones, and how different combinations of elements created such a wide varitey of rocks.

We used loops to inspect the rocks and minerals closely.

Learning about the gemstones is benificial because next semester well will be learning how to set stones in our jewellery and metalwork.

The presentation was very educational and fun. Thanks Massoud!

Sale Success!

2009-11-30T11:24:00.016-05:00

All of the hard work from the last two weeks has paid off. The Christmas Ornamant sale was a huge success! Before the ornaments were even displayed, a large crowd gathered in anticipation. The foyer of he Main Campus was packed with people looking to get there hands on the students fine metalwork. At exactly 5:00 the work was unvieled and mob was set loose to pick out their favorite pieces.

The ornaments were completely sold out in just 23 minutes!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out and supported the students of the Jewellery and metalwork program!

Here are some examples of the ornaments.

Kaajuk

Henry

Joe

Myles

Jutanie

Patrick

Silas

Peter

The Final Countdown

2009-11-23T16:21:00.000-05:00

We are in the final stretch of our preperations for the Christmas Ornament Sale this friday. So little time and so much to do!

The press releases and posters have gone out. The polishing room is in constant motion. The ceaseless echos of hammering floods the studios and hallway.

The clock is a-tickin'!

An indispensible aspect of the classroom environment, especially in an art making setting, is the community that is created between the artists.
Today we had a group discussion to talk about each persons work so far. This gave up an opportunity to see what everyone is working on, and offer any praise, advice or suggestions to help improve the work. The group critiques are an invaluable learning tool, not only to help improve the art work, but also to learn to take a step back from ones art and look at it objectively. Feedback from peers helps to form educated opinions, train a keen eye and shed new light on different ideas.

SNEAK PEEK!!

A couple finished ornaments to entice potential shoppers!

by Jutanie Arnakaq

by Myles Gauthier

There will be absolutlely NO SALES prior to the evening of the sale.

Christmas Ornament Sale
November 27th, 2009
5:00pm to 6:30pm
Nunavut Arctic College Main Campus

See you there!

Hard at work

2009-11-18T10:52:00.000-05:00

The Sakku Studio is alive with action as the students prepare for the Christmas Sale on the 27th. Excitment is growing with each new piece that receives a nod of approval and its final polish. Check out the students in action!

Myles adding texture to his piece

Henry's bench

Kaajuk chases patterns into his work

Joe contemplating layout

Silas refines the edges

Look! Even Kirk is having fun!!!

Christmas Ornament Sale!

2009-11-16T16:25:00.000-05:00

This semester has been going by so fast! We have now begun preparing for the annual Christmas Ornament Sale. For the next two weeks, we will be working hard in the metal studio to create orginal, handmade ornaments made of brass. We are practising the skills we have learned so far; sawing, bending, texturing, riveting and chasing.

In addition to creating the art work to sell, we have been working on the business side of things. Creating posters for advertising, writing press releases and making business cards are all part of the business of art. Today a few of the students gave interviews to the Nunatsiaq Newspaper to help promote interest in the program and sale.

The sale is to take place at the Nunavut Arctic College Main Campus, November 27th, 2009, between 5:00 and 6:30pm. In the past this has been a very popular event and the art work goes fast!

Joe Macpa

2009-11-03T13:53:00.001-05:00

Arctic Butterfly

Joe Macpa

Brass

2" x 3"

2009

The name of my piece is "Arctic Butterfly"

This sculpture is made of brass and copper wire

I chose to make a butterfly becauase they are beautiful and symbolize flying free.

It had traditional shapes like ulu, whale, Inukshuk, kamiks, and diamonds.

This piece represents my life in Nunavut.

Peter Akatsiak

2009-11-03T13:45:00.000-05:00

Inuit Game
Peter Akatsiak
Brass and Copper
2009

Patrick Aula

2009-11-03T13:35:00.000-05:00

Hunting Owl

Patrick Aula

Brass and Copper

2009

The name of my piece is called hunting owl
It’s made of copper & brass
The owl is hunting because the siblings are hungry
I was inspired by the owl because it’s unusual and different
It was a challenging to make because of the texturing & riveting

Kaajuk Kabalik

2009-11-03T13:30:00.000-05:00

“Faces Everyday”
Kaajuk Kablalik
Brass, Copper, and Steel wire
6” x 4”
2009

This sculpture was inspired by skin frames that are used in my culture to dry seal skins. The faces of the sculpture symbolize the way we feel everyday. The cross cut-out behind the frowning face symbolizes hope and the Inukshuk cut-out behind the smiling face symbolizes contentment.(unseen in photos) The frame was inspired by the gothic era from the darkness and sharp points of the frame to the steel wire that is twisted to look like rope that connects all the pieces in a gothic manner.

Myles Gauthier

2009-11-03T13:27:00.000-05:00

The Eagle
Myles Gauthier
Brass and Copper
2009

This piece is called “The Eagle”. It is made up of brass and copper.
I picked this design of an eagle because eagles carry traits that I lack and that I envy, independence and courage.
The wings are spread out on this piece because I wanted it to look big and unafraid.
I really enjoy this piece because it was the biggest piece I’ve ever made and I thought it turned out great.

Jutanie Arnakaq

2009-11-03T13:23:00.000-05:00

Man making Igloo, and seal is ready to cut up
Jutanie Arnakaq
Brass & Copper
2009

I made this piece to show my culture, and how our ancestors lived
in Igloo and how they survive. The Igloo in Inuit culture is very
important because that was the only shelter they have in winter time
and that’s how they survive having a shelter. Kamutik is common
for our culture and has been used for long time for transportation.

Silas Qulaut

2009-11-03T13:20:00.000-05:00

Drum Dancer
Silas Qulaut

Brass and Copper
4.5”x2.2/3”
2009

It is made of copper and brass flushed together, and there are 12 pieces; drum and drum stick are removable.
Drum dancing is part of inuit culture, and they performs when the sun is reborn in the arctic.
In the past they used to do drum dancing a day before they go hunting for a good luck.

Norman Alikut

2009-11-03T13:15:00.000-05:00

Lone Seal
Normam Alikut
Brass
2009

The name of my piece is “Lone Seal” it is made from brass. Seals have lots of meaning in my culture. Seals are use for oil, parkas, kamiks, vest ,meat for dog feed or people.

Henry Mike

2009-11-03T10:40:00.000-05:00

Henry Mike, Kablu, Copper/Brass/Silver, 2009.

A lot of things inspired me to make this piece. Life, patience, beauty, and women had inspired me to create this piece. The kudlik means that women are emotionally, mentally, and physically strong. And the flower and the butterfly mean that no matter how long you wait, and if you have enough patience that something beautiful can come from something else. I like the shaping of this piece, the flower and the butterfly. I really enjoyed making the piece.

Our first Silver rings!

2009-11-02T15:11:00.001-05:00

While making these rings we learnt how to solder different metals to create one piece.

We also hammered and textured these rings to get the round shape and different designs on them.

Drawing Class Gems

2009-10-31T15:01:00.001-04:00

An important element of any type of art making is good design and drawing skills. Once a week we have a drawing and design class to help improve these skills, while experimenting with different materials and techniques. This week the students made self-portraits using a subractive drawing technique. The paper was first smudged with charcoal. The image was then revealed by erasing the charcoal to bring out the light areas.

As all the students in the program are all in their first year, the majority of the class had never drawn self-portraits before. It was a fun challenge! The results are as unique as each person who made them. Great work guys!

Kaajuk

Silas

Henry

Norman

Myles

Patrick

Joe

Peter

A day in the shop.

2009-10-25T17:17:00.000-04:00

After only one month of school, the students have created some amazing pieces. The latest project was a free standing riveted sculpture. This was great challenge because they had only created 2-D work to this point. The requirements for the project included: at least 2 pieces of metal (brass, copper,) a minimum of 2 rivets, some bent metal and texture. Here are the students hard at work in the studio. Pictures of the finshed pieces coming soon!

Henry files the edges of his work.

Silas shows off his drum dancer in progress.

Norman working on his seal scuplture.

Henry and Kaajuk at their benches

Patrick and Myles working their magic with metal.

Students

2009-10-20T11:04:00.000-04:00

Students in the Nunavut Arctic College

Jewellery and Metalwork Program

2009/10

Silas Qulaut

Patrick Aula

Norman Alikut

Myles Gauthier

Kaajuk Kabalik

Jutanie Arnakaq

Henry Mike

Jewellery

2009-10-06T09:55:00.000-04:00

Sakku Sannavik

The Jewellery and Metalwork program at the Nunavut Arctic College, is located in the northern Canadian capital of Iqaluit, Nunavut. The program is dedicated to refinement of metalworking skills and the production of fine jewellery and metalwork. The program focuses on the traditional Inuit subject matter while encouraging creativity and experimentation. In addition to metalwork, we study Drawing & Design, Printmaking, Inuit and Art history, as well as, Business and Communication for artists.

Sakku is the Inuktitut word for spearhead. Sannavit means studio. We thought this was a good name for the studio because the Sakku is a important traditional tool used in the Inuit culture. It also represents us 'spearheading' new skills and talent through artistic expression, while giving us the foundation to build a career in jewellery making.