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SAMONIE TOONOO (1969 - ) |
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Currently Sam lives and works in the Inuit settlement of Cape Dorset on Baffin Island. He is an accomplished sculptor who has recently devoted increasing amounts of time to this pursuit. His father was a well-known artist, as are Oviloo Tunnillie and Jutai Toonoo, his sister and brother. His work combines great technical expertise in handling both stone and antler. Sam is a mystical soul whose work often depicts human figures in the midst of transformation with spirits, animals, and other humans. He says carving is a calming act that puts him in touch with his spirituality. Sam also emphasizes the role that carving plays in helping the Inuit to maintain their cultural identity, through the blending of traditional and modern themes. He often incorporates human faces or figures with symbols of traditional culture. Frequently these involve masks or other references to shamanic ritual. Transformation themes and images of shamans have traditionally dominated Inuit myths and legends, suggesting the ability to change shape when necessary to incorporate the powerful aspects of other animals, humans, or spirits. Issues of power and protection suffuse Sam's work. He speaks eloquently
about the power of the spirit world, which he feels is more closely
linked to our temporal world than we might imagine. Sam asserts that
the spirits are always with us, like veins under the surface of skin,
imparting their power and protection to human beings in times of need.
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