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Thomassie Echalook2009
Inukjuak Co-operative, Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
Credits:Photo: Devora Cascante
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Thomassie Echalook [b. 1936]His story
Thomassie Echalook, son of carver Lucassie Echalook, was born in 1936 in a camp near Inukjuak. At 25, Thomassie began carving as a way of earning an income while living in the outpost camp. His family moved into Inukjuak in 1963. Although he began as a carver, he also worked at printmaking for several years. He and his nephew, Noah Echalook, had attended the Puvirnituq Printmaking Workshop in 1972. Upon their return to Inukjuak, they transformed an abandoned portable classroom into a print studio, with Echalook as manager. Echalook's first prints appeared in the 1972 Arctic Quebec Print Collection. The print shop moved to the old co-op in 1975, but printmaking ceased altogether in 1976.
His art
Echalook's carvings and prints are distinguished by precise details and solidity of form. Virginia Watt, director of the Canadian Guild of Crafts Quebec, wrote about his prints in the preface to the 1976 Inoucdjouac Print Collection: "The interest in Inuit prints lies more with the subject rather than the technical skills of the printer. Not so with Thomassie Echalook… [his prints] show remarkable discipline and control of line" (1976:5).
He says
"It's not only about the legends but also about the history. ...I want the world to know about the special carvings that we can make, different things besides Inuit-shaped carvings, mixed with ivory and antlers and other things. ..The future looks bright if young people continue to carve" (Interview with Inuit Art Foundation staff in Inukjuak in 2009)
References
Myers (Mitchell), Marybelle
1975 "Another Reality," in Arctic Quebec Print Collection. La Fédération Coopératives du Nouveau-Québec: 2-4
Watt, Virginia
1976 Preface to Inoucdjouac Print Collection. La Fédération Coopératives du Nouveau-Québec: 5
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Thomassie Echalook27 January 2009
Inukjuak Co-operative, Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
Credits:Translation: Annie Weetaluktuk
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"Owl" by Thomassie Echalook1972
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
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"Owl and Goose" by Thomassie Echalook1973
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
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"The Hunter" by Thomassie Echalook1973
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
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"Composition" by Thomassie Echalook1973
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
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"Look What I See When I Have No Harpoon!" by Thomassie Echalook1973
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
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"The Tuniks (Giants) Who Lived before Us Were More Able to Get Food" by Thomassie Echalook1974
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
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"Game of Strength" by Thomassie Echalook1974
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
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"Fishing through the Ice Hole" by Thomassie Echalook1974
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
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"Men Seal-Hunting through Ice Holes" by Thomassie Echalook1975
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
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"A Face out of Nature" by Thomassie Echalook1975
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
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"A Man Blowing up an Avataq Float, Hunting, Getting a Caribou and Going Home" by Thomassie Echalook1975
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada
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