Description
This gorgeous Seal by Bart Hanna Kappianaq from Iglulik is a small treasure from a master carver. To get a good sense of the amazing talent of Bart Hanna I strongly recommend further readings. A quick glance at the depth of his work may be gleaned from, for instance, his biography in Inuit Art Quarterly.
Bart Hanna was born in 1948 in Alanarjuk Lake, and now lives in Igloolik, Nunavut. He is the youngest brother of Lukie Airut, another well-known and respected carver. Bart Hanna started carving when he was 13 years old
Bart began carving in the early 1960s, when he was sent to Toronto, Ontario for treatment for tuberculosis by emulating the many other Inuit carvers that were also receiving care. He has received formal art training in both Canada and the U.S.A.
He took several art courses in Canada and the United States. He travelled to France and Italy because he wanted to see for himself and learn from observing real works of art. “I went over there to observe and learn so I could strive for more improvement in my carvings.”
“I have been to Ottawa for school… And I went to Montreal to do actual carving work. In addition, I’ve been to Italy and France to do carving demonstrations. I went to Paris on my own to see a carving that was displayed there: I wanted to see their prices and see how good it actually was. I went to Italy to see Michelangelo’s marble sculptures. I had heard they were very beautiful. Because I consider carving and sculpture seriously, I wanted to see for myself and learn from observing real works of art… And now, more than anything else, [carving] is the most important thing I do… Most important, I like art. That is why I do it.”
“The Art of Bart Hanna”, interview by Simeonie Kunnuk, Inuit Art Quarterly, Vol. 9, No. 4, Winter 1994.
“Through his art, Mr. Hanna often addresses social issues and the negative effects of colonialism on Inuit communities. By including characters that are pulled from shamanism or from his dreams, his work promotes healing, addresses his own experiences and inspires others to share and understand these issues as well,” said Speaker Geoff Regan during the unveiling of Bart Hanna’s Sedna on Parliament Hill in 2019
This Seal by Bart Hanna Kappianaq is a real treat from a great and accomplished carver. A treasure to treasure.
Bio Bart Hanna Kappianaq
Bart Hanna Kappianaq
Medium: DRAWING, SCULPTURE/CARVING
Artistic Community: Iglulik, NU
Date of Birth:
Qikiqtaaluk region, NU
1948
Exhibitions
Sedna and her Creatures
February – March 2013 Alaska on Madison
Bart Hanna
2012 Museum of Inuit Art
Bart Hanna
November 2006 Kipling Gallery
Sedna: Spirit of the Sea
September 1995 Feheley Fine Arts
Sculpture of the Inuit: Major Works by the Masters of Stone
October 1994 Maslak McLeod Canadian Art
Kunst van de Inuit Eskimo’s
1994 Gemeentelijk Kunstcentrum Huis Hellemans
The Theme of Transformation in Inuit Sculpture
March – April 1993 Isaacs/Inuit Gallery
The Treasured Monument
1993 Marion Scott Gallery
Our Hoods are Full
May 1992 Arctic Artistry
Art Inuit (Presented by l’Iglou Art Esquimau, Douai)
February – April 1992 Galerie Montador
Art Inuit: Autour de la Collection de Cape Dorset 1990 (Presented at l’Iglou Art Esquimau, Douai)
November – December 1991 Le Colombier
Art Inuit (Presented by l’Iglou Art Esquimau, Douai)
August – September 1991 Galerie Akenaton
Art Inuit (Presented by l’Iglou Art Esquimau, Douai)
July 1991 Chapelle de la Visitation
Galciopolis: Art Inuit (Presented by l”Iglou Art Esquimau, Douai)
July – August 1991 Maison de Pesey
Art Inuit (Presented by l’Iglou Art Esquimau, Douai)
May – June 1991 La Halle aux Bles
Mother and Child: Sculpture and Prints
May – June 1991 Albers Gallery
Art Inuit (Presented by l’Iglou Art Esquimau, Douai)
April – May 1991 Palais de L’Europe
Art Inuit (Presented by l’Iglou Art Esquimau, Douai)
March – April 1991 Le Theatre
Art Inuit (Presented by l’Iglou Art Esquimau, Douai)
February – April 1991 Galerie Humbert
Espaces Inuit
November 1990 – February 1991 Maison Hamel-Bruneau
Publications
There’s more to art than money, says Bart Hanna
December 4, 2019 Derek Neary
Igloolik’s Master Carver relies on the annual sealift to bring coveted sculptures to buyers
November 20, 2019 CBC
Nunavut artist’s work unveiled on Parliament Hill
April 8, 2019 CBC News
Bart Hanna Awarded Major Commission in Ottawa
July 9, 2018 IAQ
Interview: Bart Hanna
Spring 2017 Alysa Procida
The Harry Winrob Collection of Inuit Sculpture
2008 Darlene Wight and Zebedee Nungak
Artists in their Studios
Winter 2007
Bart Hanna: Heart of a Wanderer
Summer 2007 Sonia Gunderson
Briefly Noted
Winter 2006
Inuit Art: A History
2000 Richard C. Crandall
“Inuit Art is Inuit Art:” Part One
Spring 1997 Marybelle Mitchell
An Opportunity to Dream His Own Art
Summer 1995
The Art of Bart Hanna
Winter 1994 Simeonie Kunnuk
Stone Carving Course in Vermont
Fall 1994
Stone Work
May 22, 1994 Rutland Herald
Espaces Inuit: Dessins et Sculpture
1991 Louis Gagnon
Bart Hanna and Natar Ungalaq: Drama in Stone
1988
Visiting Inuk sculptor receives chilly welcome
March 08, 1986
Achievements
Sculpture Displayed in House of Commons on Parliament Hill
2019 Government of Canada
Public Collections
LSU Museum of Art
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Itsanitaq Museum
Churchill, MB, Canada
Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
Quebec City, QC, Canada
Indigenous Art Collection at Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Gatineau, QC, Canada
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Yellowknife, NT, Canada
Government of Nunavut Collection
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
