Seal before 1500

These miniature carvings of animals and figures are by an Inuk artist. Without a specific date, it’s hard to know the precise social conditions in which they were made, but we can still consider the wider cultural context. The Inuit are indigenous people inhabiting the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. Their traditional way of life depended on hunting and fishing, so animals such as seals, caribou, and whales were vital. These small carvings reflect this close relationship with nature, as well as showing the tools of their trade. Historically, many Inuit communities experienced significant social disruption due to colonization, forced assimilation, and environmental changes. Art became a way of preserving cultural traditions, asserting identity, and challenging stereotypes. As an art historian, I'm interested in learning more about the artist and the specific community they belonged to. What stories did they want to tell? How did their art function within their society? By researching archives, oral histories, and ethnographic studies, we can gain a deeper understanding of this artwork and its role in Inuit culture.