Carver Jaco Ishulutaq to create monument to Pangnirtung fishery
Eight local youth will learn carving skills from Ishulutaq in paid internship
Master carver Jaco Ishulutaq is carving a monument to the Pangnirtung turbot fishery, while passing on his skills to the community's next generation of artists.
Right now, a granite block, 1.5 metres wide and tall, is sitting at the community's wharf.
Soon it will be transformed into a massive turbot, to honour the fish that few traditionally ate in Nunavut, but that's become a growing source of income for fishers who set lines through the sea ice of Cumberland Sound each spring.
Ishulutaq is well-known throughout Nunavut, and has displayed his work internationally.
"In my experience as a carver, it teaches patience and has had a calming effect on me," said Ishulutaq in Inuktitut.
"I encourage all artists all young carvers to continue doing art."
Carver training 'on the job'
"There's a lot of excitement for the project," said Justin Ford, a program director from the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association. "Everyone loves art and they love to get involved however they can."
Eight local youth have been selected to work with Ishulutaq over the next eight weeks.
"He's amazing at what he does and he works really well with youth," said Ford.
Among other things, Ishulutaq will teach the youth about working with granite, a rock that's much harder to work with than serpentine, a stone that's popular with artists in the region.
The carving will be "on the job training" for the young artists, since the Kavikak Association is paying wages for the students, said Ford.
Nunavut's Economic Development and Transportation department will pay for the supplies and Ishulutaq's time.
Ford says the granite carving will be a draw for tourists in Pangnirtung, one of Nunavut's cruise ship destinations.