Arctic ivory on display

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Toronto-More than 150 exquisite miniature ivory sculptures and some ethnographic artifacts, photographs and documents will be displayed at the Gallery of Indigenous Peoples in the Royal Ontario Museum from Oct. 12 to March 30, 2003.

The exhibition is named Tuugaaq: Ivory Sculptures From the Eastern Canadian Arctic. Tuugaaq, which means "ivory" in Inuktitut, will show the significant role ivory has played in Inuit life.

Canadian collector and philanthropist Donald Ross bought the ivory sculptures from Dr. Jon A. Bildfell and his wife Muriel and donated this collection to the museum. Bildfell's Baffin Island collection dates from 1933 to 1942 and was acquired while he lived with his family in the Inuit community of Pangnirtung on Baffin Island.

"Dr. Bildfell is fondly remembered by the Inuit of Pangnirtung. In his role as a physician, he was woven into a fabric of he Pangnirtung community and through his collection he captured a significant time in Inuit history," says Kenneth Lister, curator.

The sculptures include the interior of an igloo, a dog sled and Arctic animals.

Next to the sculptures will be displayed the artifacts those sculptures symbolize: an ivory sculpture of a kayak and paddlers, for example, will be accompanied by a full-sized skin kayak. "This juxtaposition of artifact and sculpture provides a unique opportunity to view essential artifacts used in Inuit life and their transition into an art form," states an exhibition press release.

For more information call (416) 586-8000.