Lot 118
DAVIDIALUK ALASUA AMITTU (1910-1976)
Additional Images
Provenance:
Private Collection, Hamilton, Ontario
Literature:
Maria von Finckenstein ed., Celebrating Inuit Art 1948-1970, Canadian Museum of Civilization, 1999, p. 46-47
Note:
Both Davidialuk and Joe Talirunili experienced similar early life circumstances. Joe suffered a gun shot wound that left him without a job and unable to hunt. Davidialuk grew up poor, as did his father and father before him. Although he was still able to hunt, he could not afford the supplies to go out on the land. Despite these setbacks, they both became prolific artists, drawing, printmaking and carving, activities that drastically changed their lives.
The introduction of art making became a huge relief for many people, especially the handicapped or elderly who were no longer able to hunt or work, but who could make a living from their art, something that they enjoyed tremendously.