Joanasie (Johnny) Manning

(1985 -)

Date of Birth : 30 March 1985

Place of Birth: Iqaluit (Frobisher Bay)

Residence: Cape Dorset

Style Description: Individualistic, impressionistic.

Artist Development: Johnny Manning Jr. started carving when he was 14 or 15 years old. Although his first piece started off being carved from a 20 pound piece of stone, by the time he was finished the seal was “blubberless”! He had taken away so much stone that all he was left with was a “skinny seal.”

            Johnny learned to carve by watching the renowned Nunjaliaq Qimirpik when he visited Cape Dorset. Johnny would show Nunjaliaq his animals, and the older carver would say, “You are becoming pretty good!”

            Today Johnny has greater dexterity and is more experienced. He uses a variety of power tools to assist him in carving, from a 7” disc grinder to an angle grinder to a Dremel tool. For the finer details, he uses his hand tools like a chisel. Johnny’s work varies from traditional to modern. With his modern work, he likes to make a statement.

            Johnny likes to challenge himself by creating unique works. He works from an idea or a concept, which is a different approach from those carvers who just carve a particular animal repeatedly.

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