Ada Eyetoaq facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ada Eyetoaq
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| Born | 1934 |
| Died | 2014 (aged 79–80) |
| Known for | Miniature soapstone sculptures |
Ada Eyetoaq was a talented Inuit artist from Baker Lake (Nunavut), Canada. She was born in 1934 and passed away in 2014. Ada was especially known for her amazing miniature sculptures made from soapstone. Her art often showed scenes from traditional Inuit life and culture.
Early Life and Family
Ada Eyetoaq married James Kingilik in the early 1950s. James was also a skilled soapstone sculptor. Together, they had seven children, five of whom were their own and two they adopted.
In 1968, Ada and James moved their family. They left their traditional Inuit camp near Beverly Lake and moved to the Baker Lake settlement. When they first arrived, they lived in a tent for two months because there weren't enough houses. Around this time, Ada and James started making sculptures to help support their family.
Her Artistry
While Ada Eyetoaq is most famous for her sculptures, she also created other types of art. She made drawings, prints, and even beautiful wall hangings from wool and felt. However, her carvings are what made her well-known. She started carving in the 1970s and quickly became one of the most respected female artists in Baker Lake.
Soapstone Sculptures
Ada Eyetoaq found inspiration for her sculptures in her family's traditional Inuit way of life. She often showed parts of her culture, like hunting and trapping, in her art. Most of her carvings were of human figures. She also sculpted animals such as bears, fish, and birds. Many of her pieces focused on women, especially mothers with their children.
Where to See Her Art
Ada Eyetoaq's artwork is displayed in many important art collections. You can find her sculptures in museums and galleries across Canada and the United States. Some of these places include:
- Amon Carter Museum of American Art
- Canada Council Art Bank: Ottawa
- Canadian Museum of History
- Macdonald Stewart Art Centre
- Musee des beaux-arts de Montreal
- Winnipeg Art Gallery
Publications
- Ada Eyetoaq: Recent Sculpture/Sculpture Récente, 1979 Canadian Arctic Producers Cooperative Ltd.
