Fortællingen om Kigutikkak: Kigutikkak i skoven 1859 - 1863

Aron from Kangeq created this woodcut print, depicting the tale of Kigutikkak, a fearsome creature of Inuit folklore. We see a figure in European dress fleeing in terror from the monstrous Kigutikkak emerging from the woods. The fleeing man, a symbol of encroaching Western influence, is juxtaposed against Kigutikkak, embodying the raw, untamed spirit of the Arctic. This juxtaposition echoes in countless narratives across cultures, where the 'civilized' world confronts the 'wild.' Consider the Green Man, a motif found in various cultures from the Middle East to Europe, representing nature's vitality. Like Kigutikkak, the Green Man embodies the untamed, primal forces of the natural world. The emotional power of this image resides in the universal human experience of fear and the unknown. It’s a primal emotion, deeply embedded in our collective memory, reminding us of the vulnerability we feel when confronted with forces beyond our control. This cycle of fear and respect for the unknown recurs throughout history, shaping our cultural narratives and belief systems.