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Etidloie, Isaci

Etidloie, Isaci

Kinngait (Cape Dorset)

(1972–2014)

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Etidloie, Isaci

(1972–2014)

Sculptor Isaci Etidloie picked up his first set of hand tools at seven years old, initially carving figures engaged in the daily practices of nomadic Inuit life. Based in Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU, Etidloie explored themes of song, such as drum dancing, supernatural stories and elaborate spirit transformations, drawing upon the influence of his father’s, Etulu Etidloie, profession as a folk singer and immortalized in his piece from 2002 Portrait of My Father, which features a relief cut framed likeness. Etidlioe’s work is characterized by its playfulness and ingenuity, depicting both traditional activities such as hunting, fishing and drum dancing, as well as activities unusual in Inuit art, such as in his work Gymnast (2018) which seems almost to defy gravity in the way it is expertly balanced. Etidloie’s work was included in the National Gallery of Canada’s exhibition Inuit Sculpture Now (2007) alongside 15 of his peers from across Inuit Nunangat and can be found today in several major public collections including the Canada Council Art Bank, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Etidloie, Isaci

Artist biographies provided with permission by the Inuit Art Foundation. All rights reserved.

Gymnast

2011
stone, antler
(1) man: 16.5 x 14 x 6.6 cm; (2) pommel horse: 6.7 x 12.3 x 1.7 cm; (3) base: .9 x 10.4 x 8.4 cm

Collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Acquired with funds donated by Marnie Schreiber
2019-14.1 to 3

  • Gymnast

    About

    Gymnast

    Gymnast

    Isaci Etidloie is known for his gravity-defying sculptures of contemporary sport. In 2009, he had a solo exhibition at the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver called Let’s Play! Works by Isaci Etidloie. Sculptures were shown that depicted both Western and traditional games, several of which were later displayed in Canada’s Northern House Pavilion for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Etidloie had no interest in portraying daily life; he preferred to create dynamic sculptures of the human body. He explained: “I like to do something challenging that catches the eye.”


  • Marika Sila

    Video Story

    Marika Sila

    Marika Sila


  • Alaskan High Kick

    Video Story

    Alaskan High Kick

    Alaskan High Kick


  • One Hand Reach

    Video Story

    One Hand Reach

    One Hand Reach


  • Gymnast

    Additional View

    Gymnast

    Gymnast