Drum Dance Gathering

Literature:
Helga Goetz, The People Within, Art Gallery of Ontario, 1976, page IV.

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Norman Zepp, Pure Vision, The Keewatin Spirit, The Mackenzie Art Gallery, 1986, page 50.
Notes:
Helga Goetz notes, “In Luke Iksiktaaryuk we return to an artist whose interest is in the life of the traditional community. Detail and motion are kept to a minimum in his figure groups which become skeletal, evocative visions of life as it was. They are frozen in time and space.”

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Iksiktaaryuk is most known for his composite antler carvings that depict drum dance scenes, single figures or flying shamans. When the other artists were working in stone, as long as it was available, Luke chose to use antler exclusively for his carvings. Norman Zepp observes, “Although multiple figure works such as Drum Dance Gathering (cat. 78) have great impact, the success of these configurations is ultimately determined by the strength and beauty of the individual figures, many of which can stand on their own right.” Luke also produced graphic art, which reflected his unique vision.