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Art at Queen's Park: The Macdonald Block - Hunter With Seal - Paulosie Kanayook Title Banner

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Paulosie Kanayook was born in Povungnituk, Quebec in 1942. His father was a well-known seal hunter who passed on his skills to his son.

The hunter-artist began carving at the age of twelve and soon became adept in the carving of soapstone, the traditional Inuit medium.

But, although he was a skilled hunter and carver, the artist had no experience working on the large scale demanded by outdoor sculpture. It was necessary to engage the services of another artist, Louis Temporale whose company, Canadian Art Memorials Ltd., could translate the soapstone carving into a large outdoor work in black granite suitable for the expansive outdoor setting of the east entrance to the Macdonald Block.

Photo: Hunter With Seal [maquette], [ca. 1966-68]

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Hunter With Seal [maquette], 1966-68
Paulosie Kanayook
soapstone (steatite)
Government of Ontario Art Collection, 619698

In September of 1968, arrangements were made for Kanayook to make the long journey south to Toronto. He spent a week with Temporale where he learned how to wield the power tools necessary to assist in finishing the job.

Photo: Paulosie Kanayook at work on his sculpture, Hunter With Seal, 1968

Paulosie Kanayook at work on his sculpture, Hunter With Seal, 1968
Black and white photograph
Government of Ontario Art Collection
Archives of Ontario

Hunter With Seal, 1968 - Paulosie Kanayook

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Hunter With Seal, 1968
Paulosie Kanayook
Canadian Granite
Government of Ontario Art Collection, 619698

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