Inuit art show opens in Paris

Now, through March, there’s an exhibition of 150 carvings on display in Paris at the Musée de l’Homme. The exhibition from Quebec City’s museum of Inuit art is called Quand la parole prend forme, or “When words take shape”.

Divided into various sections that deal with various aspects of the North’s history, culture and wildlife, the exhibition contains works by artists from Nunavik and Nunavut, including Pangnerk Illuitok from Taloyoak, Judas Ulluliaq from Gjoa Haven, John Kavik from Arviat, Matiusi Iyaituk from Ivujivik and Peter Morgan from Kangiqsualujjuaq.

Raymond Brousseau, the owner and curator of the Musee d’art Inuit, a privately-owned museum in the old town of Quebec City, called the opening event, which was attended by French president and Inuit art lover Jacques Chirac, “sweet revenge” because his museum has never received any government funding.

Brousseau told reporters he had included only contemporary works in the exhibition to show these Inuit carvers are “great artists” above all else.

The exhibition already attracted more than 90,000 in the French city of Lyon last year. After Paris, it will head off to Toulouse in southern France.