Mark Emerak

Canadian, 1901–1983

The Great Whirlpool (Kalaniyaaktok), 1987

stonecut on paper, Print Workshop Proof 1/3

50.8 x 64.7 cm

Collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery; Gift of Holman Eskimo Co-operative

G-90-669

Categories:

Print, Inuit

Mark Emerak was an Inuit elder when he began drawing in 1966. He was encouraged to draw by the missionary Father Henri Tardy, who was attempting to establish a print program in Holman at that time. Of the 900 drawings made by Emerak over the next 17 years, 41 were made into limited-edition prints. His imagery and tightly organized compositions have created a rich record of the artist’s life on the land. This unusual work is based on a story recorded by the artist. One man told another that if he took his boat out to a certain place, the water would suck him down. Skeptical, the second man paddled out to the place described and he was never seen again.

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