Pudlalik Shaa

(1965 - )

Date of Birth : 29 December 1965

Place of Birth: Iqaluit (Frobisher Bay)

Residence: Cape Dorset

Family:  Son of renowned carver Axangayu Shaa. 

Style Description: Naturalistic birds and animals that are stable and well balanced.

Artist Development: Pudlalik started carving at the age of 12 after watching his father Axangayu Shaa and others carve. He received two dollars for his first carving, which was either a seal or a polar bear – he could not recall exactly which he did first. He began to support himself through his art at the age of 17 and has done so ever since. Unlike the youth of today, he learned and used hand tools exclusively – a saw, an axe, a rasp, and various files. It was only 10 years ago that he started using power tools. Each carver has a personal preference in terms of size. Some want to carve only large pieces, and others are quite content to do small works. Pudlalik normally carves relatively small to medium-sized pieces except when he goes to the quarry and is able to bring back larger pieces of stone.

            He produces usually one sculpture per day, sometimes two. In what appears to be a common practice, his partner, Ita does the sanding. He says that is he had more time he would do better work, but the constant pressure of feeding his family daily restricts his ability. He does enjoy the work and would like his children to continue the carving tradition. Pudlalik is especially conscious of form with his transformation pieces, which are composites of different animals combined with a human face or figure. Many of his birds and transformation figures are finely balanced on one leg. This well-balanced, stable character is noticeable in the majority of Cape Dorset pieces and is likely attributable in part to the discriminating buyers who form their principle market.

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