The Loon Gives Lumiak His Sight

This diminutive work depicts the legend of the blind boy and the loon.  The story tells of a blind boy who met a loon at a floe edge. The loon instructed the boy cling to its neck as he pulled the boy through the water. The loon told the boy to be sure to keep his eyes open. When the pair emerged, the boy found that he could see.

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This miniature work is beautifully choreographed for maximum impact - here the boy’s head is tilted upward but his eyes remain shut. This suggests that the artist depicts the moment immediately preceding the climax of the story, when the two have just surfaced from the water, the boy still unaware of his newly gained vision. The upward stretch of the neck of the loon implies that the duo emerge from the icy water to advance against a powerful headwind. The invisible force becomes an almost tangible reality. This not only balances the forward movement of the loon but also enlivens the piece with a great sense of drama and action.