Submitted by: Pat Higgins - Teacher, Kittery Pt. Maine
The first thing you want to do is look at a variety of Inuit Sculpture. Do a lot of research on Inuit artists and the type of work they do. Some names to look for: Miki, George Arluk, Kongaseretook (also known as Elijah Kuppaq), Pudlo and Josie Papialook.
[The above sculpture is "Seal Floating on a Bed of Waves" by Josie Papialook - click on image to enlarge]
What You Need:
Clay
Water
Stylus
Examples of Inuit Sculpture
What You Do:
Begin with a block of clay, maybe 5" x 6" by 4".
Talk about what constitutes a sculpture. The fact that it is 3-dimensional. It has width, height, length.
Next, talk about using the subtractive method of sculpting. This is taking away the negative space to leave a form.
Create drawings from every angle on the clay ... subjects could be seals, dolphins, polar bear, rabbits, turtles etc.
Pull clay away and never add pieces to the block.
Next, model with your hands, pushing and pulling until an animal appears. Remember that Inuit sculpture is a smooth simple form without a lot of detail.
The last step is to smooth with water and add small detail with a stylus, sharp stick or pencil point the basic lines for eyes, claws, etc.
Exhibit the work when complete
"We used a Mexican Marblex self-hardening clay that does not have to be fired. The sculptures we did were very impressive."
-Pat Higgins
[The above sculpture is "Bear Spirit" green stone in the collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario - click on image to enlarge]
KinderArt® Lesson/Activity 
