Dear friends,

Please visit us in person or online to see our new acquisitions. Of course, we can only highlight a fraction of our selections in newsletters and on the website. If you are looking for a particular artist, subject or community, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Osuitok Ipeelee Bust of a woman

Three beauties

Henry Evaluardjuk Bust of Suzanne

When we think of Inuit art, we don't generally think of portraits, but there are in fact some lovely examples to be found. Pictured here are two fine portraits. On the left above is Bust of a Woman by Osuitok Ipeelee. While we don't know the identity of Osuitok's model, it is so individualized and expressive that I am certain that it is a portrait of someone close to Osuitok. On the right above is Henry Evaluardjuk's loving portrait of his daughter Suzanne.

Even some full-size "slice of life" sculptures have such intricate detailing that it is almost certain that they are portraits. Davidee Saumik's Woman with child softening a kamik (below) is one such sculpture. The artist has depicted the woman's elaborate hairdo in loving detail, and the face of the child is so animated that one immediately thinks that this must be a portrait of the artist's wife and child.

Davidee Saumik Woman with child softening a kamik

From our igloo to your, best wishes for a joyous winter solstice and a happy new year.

Axangayu Shaa

Camp scene

2016 Cape Dorset Calendars are here!

About Us

Alaska on Madison is a gallery of indigenous art of Alaska and Canada run by collectors for collectors. We feature Inuit art of the twentieth and twenty-first century Canadian Arctic, two-thousand-year-old objects from the Old Bering Sea cultures, and nineteenth century art from the Northwest Coast peoples and Yup'ik Eskimos. Our collection ranges from museum-quality works to more modest but still excellent works for private collectors, whether novice or sophisticated. We also have a selection of books that will enhance your appreciation of your collection.

Baffled by syllabic signatures? Learn how to interpret them by using our guide, Deciphering Inuktitut Signatures, and our Inuit Artist Search Tool.

Regular gallery hours are Tuesday - Saturday 1:30 - 6:00 pm, but it's always a good idea to call or email in advance in case we have an appointment out of the gallery.

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