Chapter 5: The Art of the Tale

Images of many of the artworks listed in Chapter 5 are available for direct viewing on the Internet (indicated in the book with an asterisk * at the beginning of the entry). Since the URLs for specific images change frequently, they are more easily kept current online. Here, too, new artworks will continue to be added as they emerge.

Artworks Depicting the Tale of the Blind Man and the Loon

Kiakshuk (1886-1966), Cape Dorset, Nunavut
1. * The Legend of Lumiuk. 1960. Stonecut print, 37.5 x 60 cm. Collection of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-Operative Ltd., on loan to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg, Ontario). [link].
1. * Lumiukand the Whales. 1961. Stonecut print, 27.9 x 35.6 cm. MacKenzie Art Gallery, University of Regina Collection, Saskatchewan.
Johnny Aculiak (1951-), Inukjuak, Québec

Blind Boy and Loon Legend." 1976. Soapstone (Steatite) sculpture, 7 in. H x 10.5 in. W x 2.5 in. D. Inuit Images, Sandwich, Massachusetts.
Paulusi Iqiqu Amarualik (1917-1986), Cape Dorset, Nunavut

*The Lumaaq Story. 1965. Grey-black stone sculpture, 10.9 x 31.4 x 14.2 cm. National Gallery of Canada (no. 30071), Ottawa.
Germaine Arnaktauyok (1946-), Igloolik, Nunavut, and Yellowknife, nwt

*The Loon Gives Lumaq His Sight. 2003. Etching aquatint, 21 x 16.875 in. Webster Galleries, Calgary, Alberta. Appears in my book as Fig. 22.
Pitseolak Ashoona (1904-1983), Cape Dorset, Nunavut
1. * Legend of the Narwhal." 1968. Stonecut print, 62 x 56 cm. National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C. Click on image to enlarge: [link].
2. * "The Legend of the Blind Boy and the Loon." c. 1970. Drawing with syllabics, 14x 10.75 in. Sold by Galerie Elca London, Montreal
3. "The Blind Man Depicted Before and After Killing the Bear." c. 1980. Drawing, 45 x 62 cm. Published 1984 in The Beaver 64 (1).
Davidialuk Alasua Amittuq a.k.a. Davidialuk Alaasuaq Amittuk and Davidialuk Alasua Amittu (1910-1976),

Puvirnituq, Québec
1. * Légendede Lumaaq. 1975. Stonecut print, 48.5 x 56 cm. Avataq Cultural Institute. Acc. No. dav.2004.4. Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec [link].
2. * Legend of Two Loons Opening a Blind Man's Eyes. 1973. Stonecut print, 25 x 29 in. Published in Carol Finley, Art of the Far North (Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1998), 31. On the print, "Davidi's story" is written in syllabics. Courtesy of La Fédération des Coopératives du Nouveau Québec. Offered for auction by Waddington's Toronto, in April 2011 [link]
3. * Legend of Lumak. 1964. Stonecut print, 19 x 24 in. Galerie Elca London Ltée, Montreal.
4. * Lumak. 1964. Stonecut print, 75.9 x 63.1 cm. Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa. Published in Ernst Roch, ed., Arts of the Eskimo: Prints (Barre ma: Barre Publishers, 1975), 127. Appears in my book as Fig. 25.
5. * Lumak." 1965. Stonecut print, 54 x 43.2 cm. Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa.
6. * The Blind Boy Dreaming of the Loons While He Is under Water. 1976. Stonecut print, 13.75 x 19.75 in. Offered for auction by Waddington's, Toronto, in April 2011.
7. Untitled ink sketch. 1971. Published in Bernard Saladin d'Anglure, »tre et renaĭtre Inuit: Homme, femme ou chamane (Paris: Gallimard, 2006), 110. Shows the blind man shooting the polar bear as it attempts to break into the igloo.
8. Untitled stonecut print. n.d. Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec. Published in Saladin d'Anglure (2006, 114). Shows the blind man calling for help from the red-throated loons.
9. Untitled ink sketch. 1971. Published in Saladin d'Anglure (2006, 114). Shows the blind man harpooning a beluga whale with his mother attached to the line.
Angie Eetak (1956-), Arviat, Nunavut

Blind boy and the Loons." n.d. Caribou hide applique, wall hanging. 47 x 156 cm (18.5 x 61.5 in.). Arctic Trading Company, Churchill.
Thomasie Etuangat (1959-), Iqaluit (Frobisher Bay), Nunavut

"Lumaaju with Whales Necklace." n.d. Sterling silver pendant, 3 x 1.75 in. From an exhibition in 2000 at Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver.
Daniel Komoartuk (1976-), Iqaluit (Frobisher Bay), Nunavut

*Takunnangittuq Aksuruqtuq (The Blind Guy Is Having a Hard Time). n.d. Sterling silver and soapstone sculpture, 2.75 x 2 in. diameter. Sold following an exhibition in 2000 by Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver [link].
Ekidluak Komoartuk (1923-1993), Pangnirtung, Nunavut

*My Mother Lies to Me." 1986. Stencil print, 24 x 17 in. (61 x 43.2 cm). Aboriginart Galleries, Vancouver.
Agnes Nanogak Goose (1925-2001), Holman, nwt
1. Untitled color print. 1972. Published in Maurice Metayer, ed. and trans., Tales from the Igloo (Edmonton: Hurtig Publishers, 1972), 94.
2. Untitled color print, 1972. Published in Metayer (1972, 97).
3. * "Blind Boy." 1975. Stonecut print, 45.7 x 61.1 cm. Print by Harry Egotak, b. 1925. Published in National Museum of Man (Canada), The Inuit Print (Ottawa: National Museums of Canada, 1977), 188. Collection of The Winnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of Holman Eskimo Co-operative g-90-264.
John Hoover (1919-2011), Cordova, Alaska, and Washington State

The Blind Man and the Loon." 1980. Cedar wood carving. Published in Julie Decker, John Hoover: Art and Life (Anchorage: Museum Association and the University of Washington Press, 2002), 98.
Daniel Inukpuk (Upatitsiak) (1942-), Inukjuak, Quebec

*Legend of Lumaaq." 1975. Stonecut print, 15 x 24 in. The name of Sarah Elijassiapik, the printmaker, is carved in syllabics on the stone block. Published in National Museum of Man (1977, 169). "Legend of Lumaaq" was also published in Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Stephen E. Nash, and Steven R. Holen, Crossroads of Culture (Boulder: University of Colorado Press, 2010), 69, plate 25.
Kananginak Pootoogook (1935-2010), Cape Dorset, Nunavut
1. * Legend of the Blind Man and the Bear." 1957-59. Stencil in blue on wove paper, 38.1 x 61cm. West Baffin Eskimo. Used in the 2012 Inuit Art calendar. Co-operative Ltd., National Gallery of Canada (no. 36594).
2. Aulajijakka(Things I Remember) #3. Caption: "There is a legend regarding a blind boy. His mother asked him to harpoon a small whale, as the boy had tied a rope around her waist." Linocut, late 1970s.
  
  Note: See slide show and listing at.
3. Aulajijakka(Things I Remember) #4. Caption: "When the bear died, the mother butchered it, making sure her son wasn't aware. She told her daughter not to tell her brother." Linocut, late 1970s.
4. Aulajijakka(Things I Remember) #5. Caption: "They were the only ones at the camp when a bear approached so the mother asked the blind boy to shoot at the bear through the air hole." Linocut, late 1970s. In my book as Fig. 20.
5. Aulajijakka(Things I Remember) #11. Caption: "The son harpooned the large whale and he was using his mother as a float. The whale started dragging her down and every time she came up for air she cried, 'lu, lu!' Therefore she was named Lumaajuuq." Linocut, late 1970s.
Napachie Pootoogook (1938-2002), Cape Dorset, Nunavut

"Legend of Lumaaq," 1988-1989. Ink and pencil sketch, 20 x 26 in. Formerly at Feheley Fine Arts, Toronto.
Rie Mu»oz (1921-), Juneau, Alaska

*Polar Bear Legend. 2001. Silkscreen print, 20 x 8.5 in. Rie Mu»oz Gallery, Juneau.
Lypa Pitsiulak (1943-2010), Pangnirtung, Nunavut
1. * Blind Man Meets the Loon." n.d. Linocut/Relief print. Printmaker: Geela Sowdluapik. Kozuke Natural, 56.5 x 74 cm. Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts, Pangnirtung.
2. * Blind Man's Anger. 1990-91. Wool tapestry designed by Lypa Pitsiulak and woven by Hanna Akulukjuk. 44 x 57 in. Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts, Pangnirtung.
3. * "Trusting the Loon," 1986. Etching, 16 x 11 in..
Jacques and Mary Regat (n.d.), Anchorage, Alaska
1. Blind Man and the Loon" n.d. Wood bas-relief, 5 x 7 ft. North Star Borough Library, Fairbanks, Alaska. In my book as Fig. 28.
2. Blind Man and the Loon" 1992. Bronze sculpture, 19.5 x 33 x10 in. Artists' private collection. In my book as Fig. 21.
Toonoo Sharky (1970), Cape Dorset, Nunavut

*The Legend of the Blind Boy. 1998. Green stone, brown stone, ivory and baleen inlay sculpture, 47 x 57 x 15cm. » West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative Ltd. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa and appears in my book as Fig. 26.
Lukassie Kuuniluusi Tukalak (1917-2003), Puvirnituq, Québec
1. * Legend: Lumak Has Been Carried Away by a White Whale." 1977. Stonecut print, 15 x 25 in. (38.1 x 63.5 cm). Offered for auction by Waddington's Gallery, Toronto. See miniature in Images: [link].
2. * Legend of the Loon That Helps the Blind Man See." 1990. Stonecut print, 15 x 14.5 in. Published in Hessel (2006, 223) A second print is in the Avataq Cultural Institute, Montreal, under the title Blind Man Who Recovered His Eyesight from the Loons." [link].
Ashevak Tunnillie (1956-), Cape Dorset, Nunavut

*Lumaajuuq. Serpentine and string sculpture, 18 x 6.5 x 7 in. Inuit Gallery of Vancouver [link].
Juaniapi Angutigulu Uqaitu (a.k.a. Johnnieapik) (1935-), Puvirnituq, Québec
1. * Inuit Whale Hunt Lumaaq Legend. Sculpture, apparently serpentine or soapstone (four figures): 5.25 x 4.25 in. H. 5 x 7.5 in. W; Human Figures 4.5 x 3.75 in. x 1.25 in. H. Sold in 2005 by Seahawk Auctions, Burnaby, BC.
2. * "Inuit Whale Hunt Lumaaq Legend," Sculpture, apparently serpentine or soapstone (three figures): 6 1/2" x 5 1/4" H. x 6 1/2" W. Human Figures 9 1/2" L. x 2 3/4" H. Sold in 2005 by Seahawk Auctions, Burnaby, BC. Sold in 2005 by Seahawk Auctions, Burnaby, B.C.
Jobie Uqaituk (a.k.a. Ohaituk) (1946-), Inukjuak, Québec

*Lumaaq Legend. 1990. Serpentine sculpture. Art Nunavik
Tumasi Illuta Quissa (1948-), Akulivik, Québec

*Lumaaq: The Legend of the Blind Boy." Soapstone sculpture, 3 x 15 x 10 in. Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver. Sc.
Peter Morgan (1951-), Kangiqsualujjuaq, Québec

The Legend of the Woman Who Became a Narwhal." 1975. Stonecut print. Carleton University Art Gallery, Ottawa.
Joshua Sivuarapik (n.d.), Puvirnituq, Québec

The Woman Who Became Narwhal." Sculpture, apparently soapstone or serpentine, 8 x 14.75 x 5.75 in. Formerly in Kulik Art Inuit, Québec City.
Judas Ullulaq (1937-1999), Gjoa Haven, Nunavut

Legend of the Blind Boy and the Loon." 1975. Stone, caribou antler, ivory, and sinew sculpture, 4 x 10.75 x 9 in. Heard Museum, Phoenix. Published in Hessel (2006, 222).
Billy Gauthier (1978-), Happy Valley, Labrador

*Blind Boy and the Loon. n.d. Serpentine, labradorite sculpture, 10 x 5 x 4.5 in..
Aisa Qupiqrualuk a.k.a. Aisa Qupirualu Alasua (1917-2003), Povungnituk/Puvirnituq, Québec

A set of five sculptures. Published in Zebedee Nungak and Eugene Arima, eds. Eskimo Stories: Unikkaatuat. National Museum of Canada Bulletin No. 235. A.S. 90. (Ottawa: 1969), 48-51.
1. The bear peeping in the window hole a.k.a. The Legend of Lumak and the Bear. 1957.
2. She brought him food inside her parka (n.d.)
3. "My brother, good dog meat." (n.d.)
4. The loon leading the blind boy to the water a.k.a. The Blind Boy and the Loon. 1957.
5. The mother being towed under by the white whale a.k.a. Lumak'sRevenge and Lumiak and the Whale, 1958. Stone, 33 cm. Collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. Published in Emily E. Auger, The Way of Inuit Art: Aesthetics and History in and Beyond the Arctic. (Jefferson nc: McFarland, 2005), 112.
Carla Rae Gilday (1980-), Yellowknife nwt

The Old Man and the Loon." c. 2008. Acrylic color painting on self-constructed canvas. Thumbnail published in the newsletter Northwest Territories Artists' Newsline (Summer 2009), 8. Appears in my book as Fig. 24.
Ningeokuluk Teevee (1963-), Cape Dorset, Nunavut
1. * "Lumaaq (Legend of the Blind Boy)." 2009. Etching and aquatint, 14.75 x 14.75 in. Galerie Elca London and Ninavik Art Gallery.
2. * "Untitled (from the story of Lumaaq)." 2005/2006. Ink and colored pencil on paper, 20 x 23 in. Marion Scott Gallery, Vancouver.
Pitaloosie Saila (1942-), Cape Dorset, Nunavut

*Out of the Sea. 1986. Stonecut Stencil. 55 x 71 cm. Dorset Fine Arts, Toronto, or at Aboriginart Galleries, Vancouver.
Alec Lawson Tuckatuck (1976-), Kuujjuaraapik, Québec
1. * Lumack(Legend of Lumack). n.d. Wonderstone, Musk Ox horn sculpture. [link].
2. Legend of Lumaaq. c. 2012. Soapstone and alabaster sculpture, 9.75 x 16.75 x 6.25 in.
Peter Qumalak Ituukala (1954-), Puvirnituq, Québec

Luumaq. 1989. Stonecut print with syllabics, 15 x 14 in. Sold by Inuit Art Zone, Québec City.
Elizabeth Cleaver (1939-1985), Montreal, Québec

Untitled linocut prints, published in William Toye, The Loon's Necklace (New York: Oxford University Press, 1977), 1-24.
Stefano Vitale (1958-), Venice, Italy

Untitled print, published in James Bruchac and Joseph Bruchac, The Girl Who Helped Thunder and Other Native American Folktales (New York: Sterling Publishing, 2008), 87.
Aisa Amittu (1951-), Akulivik/Povungnituk

Untitled sculpture of soapstone, serpentine, aluminum, and caribou antler. Published in American Indian Art Magazine, 23, no. 3 (Summer 1998): 109.
Mark Kalluak (c. 1941-), Arviat/Eskimo Point, Nunavut

Untitled ink sketch, published in Mark Kalluak, How Kabloonat Came and Other Inuit Legends (Yellowknife: Department of Education, Govt. of the Northwest Territories, 1974), 47.
Lucassie Echalook (1942-), Inukjuak, Québec

The Legend of Lumaaq. 2009. Serpentine sculpture, 12.75 x 9.25 x 5 in. Sold by the Ontario Crafts Council via The Guild Shop, Toronto.
Silas Kayakjuak (Qayakjuak)(1956-), Hall Beach, Nunavut
1. Boy Riding Loon. n.d. Miniature ivory sculpture. Sold by the Snow Goose Gallery, Ottawa.
2. * Legend of Blind Boy Riding Loon. n.d. Ivory sculpture, 1.5 x 2.25 x 1 in. Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver.
3. * Blind Boy on Loon. n.d. Antler and serpentine sculpture, 2 x 4 x 2 in. Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver.
4. * Cry of the Red Throated Loon (Legend of the Blind Boy and the Loon). n.d. Antler, inlay, signed in syllabics. 9.5 x 2 x 1.5 in. Sold at auction by Waddington's, Toronto, Ontario.
Looty Pijamini (1953-) Aujuittuq/Grise Fiord, Nunavut
1. * LumaaqStory. 1992. Sculpture from the exhibition Arctic Art Masterworks: Selections from the Balshine Collection of Sculpture by Inuit. Vancouver: Arctic Art Museum Ltd., 1998.
2. LumakLegend." 1991. Ivory and antler, 20 x 55 x 37.5 cm. From the Exhibition of Inuit Sculpture at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, July 18, 2009, to November 15, 2009.
Patrick Thompson (1978-), Ottawa.

The Blind Boy and the Loon Jam. 2009. Wall mural in Nunavut.
Larry Vienneau Jr. (1955-), Lake Mary, FL

Untitled sketch. Published in John Smelcer, A Cycle of Myths: Indian Myths from Southeast Alaska. (Anchorage: Salmon Run Books, 1993), 59.
David Ruben Piqtoukun (1950-), Paulatuk nwt and Toronto

Lumak Legend. c. 1990s. Stone and marble sculpture. 12 x 24 in. Formerly offered for sale on eBay.
Johnny Kakutuk (1946-), Akulivik, Québec

*LumaqLegend. n.d. Gray stone sculpture, stained darker, 15.7 x 31.8 cm. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto.
Robert E. Sebastian (1952-), Hazelton, British Columbia

Blindman Sees Loon." c. 1970s. Unframed red and black ink serigraph, Northwest Coast style. University of Victoria Art Collections, Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery, Victoria, BC. In my book as Fig. 23.
Simiunie Sivuaq Sivuarapik (1946-2000), Puvirnituq, Québec

*Untitled stone sculpture. Steatite, 7 x 17 x 8 cm. Avataq Cultural Institute. Westmount and Inukjuak, Québec [link].
Artist unknown, Old Hamilton, Alaska

Untitled loon mask. n.d. Wood carving, painted, in two pieces, Yup'ik Eskimo. Catalog number ua64-7-22. Collected by Otto Geist in 1934, accompanied by tale text collected in 1935. University of Alaska Museum of the North, Fairbanks, Alaska. Appears in my book as Fig. 27.
Stanley Nachosak, Nain, Labrador

Untitled color print. Apparently commissioned for illustrating a reprinted text and published in Dale Blake's Inuit Life Writings and Oral Traditions: Inuit Myths (St. Johns nf: Educational Resource Development Co-operative, 2001), 11.
Robert Mayokok (1903-1983), Wales, Alaska

Untitled ink sketch published in Robert Mayokok, Eskimo Stories (Nome ak: Nome Nugget, 1960) cover, 14. Three additional ink sketches of the tale appear in Helen Caswell, Shadows From the Singing House: Eskimo Folktales (Rutland vt: C. E. Tuttle, 1968), 42-47.
George Aden Ahgupuk (1911-2001), Shishmaref, Alaska

Untitled pencil sketch published in Edward Keithahn, Alaskan Igloo Tales (Anchorage: Alaska Northwest Publishing Company, 1974), 77. Illustrates the story of the "Wicked Mother."
Laszlo Gal (1933-2005), Hungarian-Canadian

Untitled black and blue sketch for "The Origin of the Narwhal." Published in Ronald Melzack's Why the Man in the Moon Is Happy and Other Eskimo Creation Stories (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1977), 30.
Frank C. Terry (n.d.)

Untitled ink sketch for "The Ant Lady and the Blind Man." Published in John Billum, Atna' Yanida'a: Ahtna Stories, transcribed in Ahtna by Molly Billum with English translation by Millie Buck. (Anchorage: National Bilingual Materials Development Center, 1979), 48.
Mary Elijassiapik, Inukjuak, Québec

"Story Tapestry #11: The Legend of Lumaaq." 2009. Felt tapestry, embroidery thread, 45 x 29.5 in. Formerly for sale at Inuit Artists' Shop, Ottawa.
Samson Kingalik (1937-2010), Inukjuak, Québec

*"Mother Pulled by the Whale." Steatite and sinew sculpture, 5 x 8 x 2.5 inches. Sold by Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver. Accompanied by tale text.