Inuit Eskimo Art As Investments

Many people collect Inuit art as investments. Inuit art is growing internationally but it has been suggested that the number of actual Inuit artists are actually declining. The creation of the Nunavut government which represents Canada's third official territory, has resulted in many new employment opportunities for the Inuit, particularly the younger ones. Carving and the entire process of bringing back suitable stone from distant quarries to their own communities are hard work for Inuit art carvers.

Many young Inuit prefer to pursue less physically demanding careers such as regular nine to five, weekday only government office occupations. As government offices grow, so will the local businesses to support them which create even more local jobs for Inuit people. These trends are not only affecting Inuit males but also females as well. As more young Inuit women move towards a 'southern', i.e., more North American lifestyle, Inuit art drawing, wall tapestry and doll making will be less attractive skills to learn compared to office or retail skills.

Many master Inuit art carvers are also expert hunters. They get to see the Arctic animals regularly resulting in excellent representations in their Inuit carvings and other artwork. Many young Inuit these days prefer not to hunt since northern community grocers have reduced a need to hunt for food. As a result, the accuracy of carvings by some younger, non-hunting Inuit artists may be affected since they may not have the familiarity of Arctic animals like older master carvers do.

All of these developments may lead to the demand for good, high quality Inuit art surpassing supply. This will in turn cause a future appreciation of value for good Inuit art. Of course, characteristics of each piece must be taken into consideration. However, most art experts recommend against buying any type of art purely for investment purposes only. Art should be appreciated for its esthetic value. If a certain artwork doesn't increase in value as hoped, then at least one would still have a lovely piece of art to look at. If one finds a piece of Inuit art that he or she really likes and can afford, then it should be purchased since the opportunity to own that one of a kind piece will probably not come around again.

Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery (http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca), an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Accurate Psychic Advice

Psychic readings can be an invaluable tool for obtaining answers... Read More

Moissanite Earrings, The Modern Brazilian Beetle

The history of earrings is a varied history indeed. And... Read More

Shakespeare and Human Nature

Isn't it peculiar how human nature evolves through environmental and... Read More

Amaterasu The Goddess of the Sun

Amaterasu is a shining example of how adversity can help... Read More

Better Red than Dead!

Red, perhaps the first color our eyes perceive.It is said... Read More

The Oldies? Nostalgia? Watchyacallit?

Our culture is defined by what we have access to!... Read More

Mexican Living: Issues of Life

This morning when I got out of bed, I had... Read More

Precious Stones -The Big Five: Part 1, The Emerald

The emerald is probably the most rare of all precious... Read More

When We Was Kids In Chicago

Radio was the big communicator, back when I was a... Read More

Dreaming of Love and Peace

She dreams of touring Europe and the US to sing... Read More

The Man Who Loved Jail

Around my twentieth birthday life became a series of incredible... Read More

Marcus Garvey: A Symbol for Black Nationalism

My first kid's father named my son Marcus after legendary... Read More

Native American Life After Prophetstown

My name is Luksi Humma, I am Choctaw or, Chahta,... Read More

Tarot Cards Demystified: The Suit of Pentacles

There are many ways to interpret the symbolism found in... Read More

Cant Afford Illness in America

I had become too sick to live in America.Even with... Read More

Learn Chinese Language Tips and Techniques

There's no doubt learning any foreign language requires effort, time... Read More

African Americans: Get the Winning Edge

Everybody wants an edge that will give him or her... Read More

The Trafalgar Way - Devon Remembers the Battle of Trafalgar

During the third week of August 2005 the Trafalgar Way... Read More

The Sterling Silver Story

Silver is the most common of the Precious Metals. It's... Read More

Books on Horsemanship - Xenophon Had it Right

Xenophon was a 4th Century BC Greek cavalry officer and... Read More

Insider Tips to Quadruple Your Art Show Sales

At a recent art show, I could not help but... Read More

Jewelry Making for Fun and Profit

There is an old adage that says work isn't really... Read More

Opal Jewelry -- Your Own Personal Piece of Rainbow

Opal is a magnificent gemstone whose shades encompass virtually every... Read More

A Short Biography on Some of Europes Most Loved and Hated Monarchs - Pt 1 Vlad Tepes (Dracula)

Vlad Tepes or Dracula was born in 1431, in the... Read More

What is Y Ddraig Goch - the Welsh Red Dragon?

The red Dragon was introduced to Britain during Roman times.... Read More

African Masks

The following is a general over view of African Masks.There... Read More

Berenguer Sauniere - This Place is Terrible

INSPIRATIONAL COMMENTS:"Let me issue and control a nation's money and... Read More

Feng Shui Horoscopes

A great tool to help you find out more about... Read More

The Monsters Mother

Somewhere in the world, every eight seconds, a mother is... Read More

Babel vs. the PC

Imagine a time when mankind was young. Migration led many... Read More

Copper Keels and Red Ochre

Copper Keels:Nature provides varying resources in different parts of the... Read More

Creating a Virtual Art Gallery

To the online artist, it might seem a paradox, at... Read More

Christopher Columbus

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: - It seems a mystery to most academics... Read More