sculpture Item Number: 3675/3 a-c from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Large stone multi-figure carving, with walrus tusk projections standing upright at each side (parts b-c). Tusks are incised with drawings and attach to stone with wooden dowels. One tusk (part b) is incised with four brown ink drawings on one side: fish, loon, person, walrus; the other side has three harpoons and syllabics in brown. The other tusk (part c) is incised on both sides with black ink drawings. One side has a seal, bird, 2 wolves, and walrus; the other side has drawings of three types of clothing (k'arlik, koliktar, amautik).
Purchased by the donors from the Marion Scott Gallery in 1980. In 1985 Reesor wrote to the artist asking for translations of the syllabics on the tusks, and received translations back, drawn on paper. The syllabic inscription on the back of tusk (part b), is said to translate to: Kioga Ashoona, I shot the walrus in 1979 September, I worked on the tusk Sept 15 1979; walrus shot near Cape Dorset; I used chisel tool to write on tusk; Thank you for buying it.
scrimshaw; scrollwork