Baker Lake, Ceremonial Beaded Amautiq, ca. 1980, white fabric, felt, beads, teeth, yarn and thread, 80 x 34 x 15 in, 203 x 86 x 38 cm as displayed. ... Beaded women’s amautiit are among the most spectacular of Inuit art works. Soon after the introduction of colourful trade beads to Canada’s Arctic by Hudson’s Bay Company traders in the 18th century, Inuit women began incorporating them into traditional amautiq (women’s parka) designs, and to a lesser extent also in men’s parkas. By the mid-19th century, lavishly decorated amautiit were the epitome of high fashion, particularly in the Kivalliq (Keewatin) region (see Hessel, Inuit Art, p. 172, for a photo of five Inuit women, ca. 1904-05). ... This stunning amautiq was made by one of Baker Lake’s most respected and best-loved elders, Martha Talerook, for her personal use. It took her about three years to complete; begun some time in the late 1970s, it was completed around 1980. It was not meant for everyday use, but was worn by her on many special occasions. Talerook made the occasional wall hanging and doll, and also recorded traditional Inuit songs. She was the mother of the graphic artist Ruth Annaqtuusi Tulurialik (b. 1934). The Baker Lake elder’s hospice was named in her honour. Talerook lived to be over one hundred years old. ... For more examples of beaded parkas, see Judy Hall, Jill Oakes and Sally Qimmiu’naaq Webster, Sanatujut: Pride in Women’s Work: Copper and Caribou Inuit Clothing Traditions (CMC 1994), and Hessel, Arctic Spirit (Heard Museum 2006) pp. 192-195.--- CATEGORIES: Inuit, Eskimo