#ATAU03 – “Flying Shaman,” 2017 SOLD

By Inuk Master Sculptor Mattiusi Iyaituk, (1950 – Cont)
Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec, of Ivujivik, Nunavik, CANADA

Materials: Weathered whale vertebra, argellate stone and caribou antler (species Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus)

Dimensions: H: 15.5″ x W: 22.75″ x D: 35.0″

Selling Price before applicable tax/shipping: CAD$ 9,985. (Approximately USD$ 7,635 as of Nov 23, 2020)

Mattiusi Iyaituk is another master Inuk sculptor. In 2017, John Houston visited his home in Ivujivik, Nunavik, as part of filming “Atautsikut / Leaving None Behind.” The film gathered testimony from Nunavimmiut (Nunavik’s Inuit and Cree) about their founding of co-operatives to break the colonialist monopoly of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Mattiusi was being filmed as he created a sculpture speaking to the co-op theme. When the clouds of stone dust cleared, the parts of Flying Shaman came together – but what exactly did a shaman have to do with the founding of the co-ops? Mattiusi made the connection in this way: “Before the coming of the Qallunaat (Settlers), in the time of the shaman, Inuit lived free. And now, through our co-operatives, we are able to live free once more!”

Watch below the 2:00 minute trailer of the film: “Atautsikut / Leaving None Behind”

Note: the Flying Shaman’s body is carved from the century-old vertebra of a bowhead whale, a material protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Shipping out of Canada may be possible, but will require some paperwork – and some patience.