There was a time in this fair land when the arctic influences ran wild, as a child, it seemed that I couldn't turn around without spying Ookpik. Ookpiks everywhere, made from just about everything, once I even saw an Ookpik made from a taxidermied caribou rump. And then, one day when I wasn't looking, Ookpik disappeared. Whatever happened to Ookpik ? When I pulled this rock from the Bulkley River, in northern BC, I thought I saw my old friend Ookipik. Carved by my hand from felthispasic sandstone, this piece has a natural quartz ring separating the head from the body. It was glued together at creation, by mother nature, using the heat and the pressure which made the world. Notes: Ookpik is Inuktitut for Snowy Owl; to find out more about snowy owls, arctic art history, and arctic culture, simply follow the links.
Snowy Owls: hinterland who's who
Inuktitut syllabary ᑎᑎᕋᐅᓯᖅ ᓄᑕᐊᖅ
Jeannie Snowball ate an Ookpik
* footnote Douglas Coupland
Arctic Studies, Smithsonian
* Hobo Divine
photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats
Snowy Owls: hinterland who's who
Inuktitut syllabary ᑎᑎᕋᐅᓯᖅ ᓄᑕᐊᖅ
Jeannie Snowball ate an Ookpik
* footnote Douglas Coupland
Arctic Studies, Smithsonian
* Hobo Divine
photo credit: Peter Lattimer
-Copy Cats are Dirty Rats
8 comments:
Hey Rob, I had an ookpik when I was little - it fit in my pocket. I like your work.
N
from Chicagoland
thanks anonymous,
I like your work too, all those wise sayings, and things. Keep it up.
yours, R
You must have me mixed up with another anonymous sending you wise sayings - I think.
N
Hey N,
are you telling me there's more than one of you ?
So when I see anything cool, it's often written by anonymous.
I thought that was you ! now, are you saying it's not? if so, then who are you ? and what is your business.
Sincerely,
R
I'm looking for interpretations of animal totems; I'm a counselor working with adolescents and kids in general, and suicidal people specifically, although I'm still in training. I've lived in Vancouver but I'm in Chicago now. Ookpik is important to me.
N
There are those that say Owl is an evil omen. Others claim Owl is a symbol of prophecy and wisdom, bestowing power to see what is otherwise hidden. Do you know the story of Owlman?
N
I know a story about an Owl that tied the knot with a Cat.
He wasn't the most charming Owl, a bit boring actually but he was very responsible.
I think that's why the Cat held on to him.
(Oh this conversation is strictly under the rose!)
~ Hobo Divine
from Blogland
Conversations under the rose? Ookpiks? Tiny sculptures? I think I've found me a new blog to visit!
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