Inuit art

Art of the Inuit, a people inhabiting the coastal Arctic regions of northeast Siberia, North America, and Greenland. Although the scattered Inuit lived a hard life in a savage environment, they share surprisingly similar oral and sculptural traditions that go back over 2,000 years. Their art reflects their belief in animism (that everything, whether inanimate or animate, has a living soul or spirit), as well as their dependency on hunting. Most images include birds, animals, and fish. Decorative artwork was applied to many everyday objects, including tools, weapons, clothing, and amulets (charms). The Inuit also produced outstanding miniature carvings in wood, bone, soapstone, walrus ivory, and antler, using simple, stylized lines; and created carved and engraved hunting scenes.

Originally the carvings had a magic or religious purpose, and were worn as amulets or used in rituals of shamanism (conversing with the spirit world). Although the Inuit maintained their traditions and nomadic lifestyle up until the early decades of the 20th century, their life has now become more settled and Westernized, and much Inuit art is produced for tourism.

The name Inuit comes from the word inuk, ‘a man’. The Inuit have also been referred to as ‘Eskimo’, although this is a derogatory word meaning ‘eater of raw flesh’. The term was applied to them by the Algonquian American Indians and adopted by colonizing Europeans.