Archives of OntarioArt at Queen's Park: The Macdonald Block - Hunter With Seal

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.	Click to see a larger image (187K) 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.

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


Click to see a larger image (388K) Hunter With Seal, 1968 Paulosie Kanayook Canadian Granite Government of Ontario Art Collection, 619698

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