Inuit Art
Ellen Fraser, the owner of Cornerstone, spent some time working in Canada’s northern territories of Nunavut and Nunavik. As a jeweller, she had something to offer the people who were very interested in learning more about the craft that shares many of the same skills as carving. Nunavut Artic College conducts a program of jewellery courses in various arctic communities. Ellen worked as a teacher in Arviat, Pangnirtung, Salluit and Iqaluit, as well as giving workshops and participating in conferences for the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association in other communities.
During her stints up north, Ellen developed a love and respect for the people and their art; it seemed a natural fit to expand Cornerstone’s artistic borders to include Inuit Art. Many visitors to Canada see Inuit Art as the ultimate Canadian gift to bring home, and Cornerstone is happy to show the work of many talented carvers, printmakers and textile artists.
All work shown at Cornerstone is sold with the government of Canada label of authenticity and card with the artist’s name and community.
Cornerstone features carvings of Nunavut done in stone, whalebone and caribou antler. There is a good selection of prints from the workshops in Cape Dorset and Pangnirtung. Cornerstone also features the prints of Germaine Arnatauyok. Wallhangings and dolls from the Arviat / Baker Lake region made of wool duffel, and occasionally adorned with beadwork or caribou hide, are also available.
