George Arluk (Arlook)

Arviat

1949 – 2023

George Arluk was born May 5, 1949 in the Keewatin region of the Northwest Territories, Canada.  The artist current residee in Arviat, an area recognized for the unique Inuit sculptural style that has been described as distinctly primitive in appearance and smaller in scale.  Arviat is located on the west shore of Hudson Bay, approximately 200 miles north of Churchill, Manitoba (MacDuff, Alistair and George M. Galpin, Lords of the Stone – An Anthology of Eskimo Sculpture).

Arluk began teaching himself to carve soapstone at the age of nine.  His self-developed style of semi-abstract works most often depict single human figures or small groups which have been melded together into unusual forms.  Also characteristic of his work is the addition of complex patterns of protruding antler pieces.  George noted that his artistic influences include fellow carvers Tiktak, Kavik and John Pangnark, all of whom worked during the 1960s.

George Arluk came from a family of artists including his father, Sevuoi Aiyarani, and brother, Charlie Panigoniak, who is a singer/song-writer in the North.

Exhibition information available upon request.