Kent's visit to Gjoa Haven included time spent with young up and coming artist Andrew Palongayak, Jr.Andrew was kind enough to let Kent photograph the carving process. This generally takes place outside (where it was a balmy 14 degrees Fahrenheit or so) to avoid breathing some of the noxious dust that can result from carving. Masks help, but unfortunately many carvers neglect to wear them. Andrew's first step after selecting a stone is roughing out the shape with a power angle grinder that has a diamond blade.Andrew generally details and textures with a diamond die grinder.Andrew Palongayak with his unpolished carvingThe unpolished piece is ready to be completed inside.Andrew wet-sanding his Inuit carvingAndrew wet sands the piece using fine sandpaper.Andrew using a file to smooth the base of his Inuit carvingHe also uses a file to smooth the base and other areas.Andrew Palongayak's finished Inuit carvingThe stone is coated with candle wax for a nice shine and protection.The eyes, teeth and held objects are then carved and added or inlaid into the piece.In this example, a base was also added to finish the creation.------ ANDREW PALONGAYAK    (HAGVUN; ANDREW)  Born: April 14, 1946 Male W2-282 Place of Birth: near Bathurst Inlet Resides: Holman; also lived in Arviat, Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven Sculpture   Andy's wife, Ann Palongayak, is also an artist.     EXHIBITIONS:  February 1979 Gjoa Haven Sculpture The Snow Goose  Ottawa, Ontario  June - August 1980 Gjoa Haven: Recent Sculpture Canadiana Galleries  Edmonton, Alberta (illustrated catalogue)  June - August 1980 Gjoa Haven: Recent Sculpture, Wallhangings Gallery of the Arctic  Victoria, British Columbia  April 1981 Gjoa Haven Community Show Sur le Mur  Montreal, Quebec  March - April 1983 Eskimo Sculpture from Gjoa Haven Images of the North  San Francisco, California, U.S.A.   COLLECTIONS:  Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (c) Inuit Art Section, INAC 1997   Forward story Forward storyPrint Story Print Story Today's Date11/8/2005All Information on this site

Exhibitions

• Eskimo Sculpture from Gjoa Haven, Images of the North
• Gjoa Haven Community Show, Sur le Mur
• Gjoa Haven Sculpture, The Snow Goose
• Gjoa Haven: Recent Sculpture, Canadiana Galleries
• Gjoa Haven: Recent Sculpture, Wallhangings, Gallery of the Arctic

Collections

• Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Yellowknife