SOLOMONIE TIGULLARAQ (1924-2000) Kangiqtugaapik (Clyde River)
Standing Woman with Bear Spirit, c. 1967-68
signed, "ᑎᒍᓚᒐ";
inscribed with artist's disc number, "E5347".
inscribed with artist's disc number, "E5347".
11 1/4 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in
28.6 x 11.4 x 11.4 cm
28.6 x 11.4 x 11.4 cm
stone
We are not sure if Tigullaraq created any explicitly shamanistic works, but this remarkable sculpture certainly has a strong supernatural element. Although the blocky forms render the image somewhat ambiguous,...
We are not sure if Tigullaraq created any explicitly shamanistic works, but this remarkable sculpture certainly has a strong supernatural element. Although the blocky forms render the image somewhat ambiguous, it seems to us that the artist might have wanted us to read this as a double figure, with a human woman and a bear-woman standing back to back. The woman’s mouth gapes open in what must surely be a scream, and we wonder if her raised arm is merely adjusting her hood or if it is trying to ward off the spirit. The woman’s terror contrasts sharply with the comical grin on the face of the bear spirit. Perhaps we are witnessing a ghoulish prank rather than a real attack.