11" Inuk Basketball (Arctic Ball) Player by Pits Qimirpik
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Pits Qimirpik
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Inuit art: Basketball Player
Inuit Artist: Pits Qimirpik
Size: 11" tall, 5" across, 3" deep, 6 lbs.
Community: Kimmirut, NU
Stone: Serpentine
id: dfa-6863Naejjy
Pits is recognized globally for his owls and hawks. These sculptures secured his standing as a Master carving. BUT he is gaining a reputation for his depiction of life in the New North. Let me explain.
When the Inuit Art Quarterly Spring 2017 edition came out, collectors immediately fell in love with its cover (Jamesie's Pitseolak's famous motorcycle). The carving was abstract and captured a utilitarian industrial style that was “mind blowing”. The boundaries of 21st century Inuit carving were pushed into an Andy Warhol-like dimension. Inuit art was catapulted into a new dimension.
Jamesie Pitseolak unknowingly pioneered a new generation of Inuit carvers. Although life in the Far North is at times still very traditional, the Inuit have incorporated many aspects of Western society into their culture. Jamesie Pitseolak’s legacy will be his crafting of everyday essentials of life in the South into Inuit carving.
Jamesie Pitseolak unknowingly pioneered a new generation of Inuit carvers. Although life in the Far North is at times still very traditional, the Inuit have incorporated many aspects of Western society into their culture. Jamesie Pitseolak’s legacy will be his crafting of everyday essentials of life in the South into Inuit carving.
Pits has also carved several sculptures that illustrate Western influences on daily Inuit life. This piece “Basketball Player” is a superb depiction of a young Inuit basketball player.
Did you know that after hockey, basketball and volleyball is one of the Inuits’ favorite sports? During the long cold Arctic nights, the community centres and school gymnasiums open their doors for nighttime volleyball and basketball. This helps pass the long winters.
The Inuit LOVE basketball!
The piece is so different and incredibly unique, but maintains its essential proportions and highly creative visage. The stone is opulent and rich. Our player walks tall toward the key, ball in hand ready to sink the shot! His head is slightly extended, he is in deep concentration. His eyes are closed for that split second when he sees the ball arcing toward the net....is it in??!
The piece is so different and incredibly unique, but maintains its essential proportions and highly creative visage. The stone is opulent and rich. Our player walks tall toward the key, ball in hand ready to sink the shot! His head is slightly extended, he is in deep concentration. His eyes are closed for that split second when he sees the ball arcing toward the net....is it in??!
I am privileged to have in the gallery at this moment several of Pits’ sought after MP3 Players. They are various sizes and each piece is distinct in its spirit and visage.
This Basketball Player by Pits Qimirpik is what I consider a Masterpiece.
PROUDLY CANADIAN SINCE 2008
