Inukshuk is an Inuit word meaning "in the Image of Man".
Inukshuks are invaluable aids to the Inuit who live and travel in the far North.Built by piling rocks in a way that resembles the human form, Inukshuks are used as guides, signposts and territorial markings, as well as hunting tools to herd caribou.
Anyone who has travelled the Arctic can appreciate how vast and lonely the far North can be.One can travel for days, even weeks, without seeing another human being.In this environment, the sighting of an Inukshuk brings a tremendous feeling of comfort and ease; a joy of knowing that one is travelling in the right direction, and a comfort that someone has passed before.
An Inukshuk symbolizes the North and tells whoever passes that man has been there before.It is hard to resist building an Inukshuk, even if for no real reason, other than a passing thought of becoming part of history.
Matt Oshutsiaq’s Inukshuks are meticulously crafted and polished to a mirror shine, highlighting the beauty and texture of the serpentine stone used to sculpt them.
His work often features themes from Inuit mythology and
daily life, showcasing the deep connection between the artist and his cultural
heritage. Proudly upholding the traditions of his craft, also personally
sources his materials from open-pit mines scattered across Baffin Island.
