Ovilu Tunnillie (1949-2014)
July 2, 2014
Inuit art lost another giant when Ovilu Tunnillie died in June. She was born at Cape Dorset in 1949; both of her parents were artists. She showed great talent early in her career, in a series of beautifully rendered hawks and eagles. Over time, her subject matter shifted. She did a series of carvings of sednas in innovative poses, playing games with the sedna's hair morphing into the ocean waves. Then followed a series of carvings that explored women's bodies and their roles in the community. Like Annie Pootoogook, Ovilu explored the darker aspects of life in the north, including alcohol and substance abuse. She died far too young.
Pictured here is an early transformation carving by Ovilu, which includes elements of bird, insect, and human. Its elegant composition and finish are characteristic of her work.
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