Andy Miki facts for kids

Andy Miki (1918–1982) was an Inuk artist from Arviat, a community in what is now Nunavut. He was known for his unique sculptures.

Early Life

Andy Miki was born in 1918. His birthplace was near the Kazan River.

His Art Career

Miki's artworks were mostly made from soapstone. He often created pieces that looked like simple shapes, known as geometric abstractions.

Another artist, John Pangnark, made abstract human figures. But Andy Miki focused on making very simple, abstract animals. This was partly because the stone found near Arviat is very hard. It was difficult to carve, so artists had to keep their designs simple.

He sculpted many different animals. These included arctic hares, caribou, polar bears, muskox, birds, and dogs.

His art is displayed in many museums. Some of these include the University of Michigan Museum of Art, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Art Gallery of Guelph, and the Canadian Museum of History. You can also find his work at the Lowe Art Museum and the Penn Museum.

Andy Miki passed away in December 1982.

Famous Works

• Mating Polar Bears, 1967. This sculpture was sold for 27,600 Canadian dollars in 2006.