Eskimo Karu Ashevak and his crazy but attractive figures of shamans and spirits

Spirits play a big role in the life of the peoples of the North even today. Harsh living conditions give rise to no less cruel beliefs and myths. The Eskimos of Canada are no exception — their world is inhabited by spirits, demons and zombies, which only powerful shamans can cope with. The skilled bone carver Karoo Ashevak is one of the first Inuit who managed to tell the whole world about it.

The traditions and superstitions of the Inuit seem to many too intricate and infernal. Think for yourself — they believe that if a shaman sews a doll from the corpses of people and animals and enters into sexual intercourse with her, she will become a ruthless killer. It is not surprising that the sculptures of their folk masters are completely different from the German porcelain shepherdesses.

Eskimos are a very simple and modest people. Therefore, no one knows exactly how many talents were lost in the vast expanses of snow. Karu Ashevak is one of the few who decided to introduce the world to the fine art of the Inuit. He was born in 1940 in Nunavut, in the Central Arctic. This is a part of Canada with the harshest climate, where people struggle for life with the forces of nature all year round.

Ashevak was fond of bone carving since childhood, but first declared himself at the age of 28. The master took part in a creative program organized by the Government of Canada, and his figures were noticed. In 1970, the carver took part in the first sculpture competition organized by the Eskimo Art Council of Canada. His works took only the third place, but interested connoisseurs the most.

From the total mass of bone carvers, Karu Ashevaka distinguished a special, individual style. The master did not follow the lead of the public, who wanted to see traditional motifs and ornaments. Ashevak's sculptures were distinguished by a modern expressionist style, completely new to Inuit art.

Ashevak's works did not have the illustrative tradition typical of Inuit. They were not part of the epic, but were self-sufficient works. That is why the figures of shamans and spirits of the artist were so popular — they were understandable even to those who were not familiar with the mythology of the Eskimos.

In his short life, Karu Ashevak created 250 works. His heroes were the spirits of the tundra and the sea, animals and birds, as well as angakuit shamans. The master has exhibited at the Franz Bader Gallery in Washington, the Lippel Gallery in Montreal, the Gallery Upstairs in Winnipeg and the Inuit Gallery in Toronto. Ashevak was also known overseas — his works were frequent guests at auctions.

The Eskimo figurines were admired, hunted, and studied. But Ashevak himself, despite the recognition, remained with his people. He worked and hunted with his fellow tribesmen and did not stand out among the others. Those who knew Ashevak recalled that he was very proud of his works. The master was always sincerely indignant when he saw the sculptures of imitators.

Unlike many masters, Karu Ashevak knew the value of his works well. At the same time, money was never a goal for him — the creative process was valued above all. Bone carving was the main source of income for the master's family. His wife Doris and adopted son Larry helped Kara with the search for suitable material and subjects for sculptures.

Unfortunately, Karu Ashevak's life ended very early. The year 1974 was fatal for the family of a talented sculptor. In August, dogs tore up his son, and in October, he and his wife died when their house in the village of Spence Bay caught fire. The master died, but his works remained, as well as the followers who so irritated the master during his lifetime.

Producer Max Weitzenhoffer called Ashevak a Canadian who made the greatest contribution to the country's culture in the 20th century.