The Inupiat Art makes an illegal for American citizens to import any ivory or whalebone from outside of the United States. Americans citizens wouldn't be allowed to purchase any artwork that contained ivory or whalebone from Canada and have it brought or shipped back to the United States. Where the act stands now allows American citizens to purchase similiar artwork from Alaska since it is part of the United States. Exporting Inuit art sculptures contains whalebones and ivory that's from Canada to other international destinations will depend on each specific country as each has its own specific regulations.
Reference:Leung, C. (2005) Export-Import of Inuit Eskimo Art Sculpture Containing Whalebone or Ivory. http://ezinearticles.com/?Export---Import-of-Inuit-Eskimo-Art-Sculpture-Containing-Whalebone-or-Ivory&id=23374
Hello Austin,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Betty and I am an italian artist who lives on Whidbey Island, WA. I will be going to North Slope next week to do a census for the North Slope Borough. I am not sure in which villages I will be going yet, but I know that I will be ending my job in March in Barrow.
I would like to contact some people in the North Slope before my arrival.
A friend of mine who is a Swinomish tribal member and a radio producer :
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/namapahh_radio
told me about an artist called Alex, she could not remember his second name, only that it was of Russian origin. She met him in Anchorage in 2001 at a workshop. At that time he was working for KBRW. He is a mask maker. Have you ever heard of him by chance?
Do you know if there are any artists who run galleries in Barrow who may know him?
Thank you very much
Cheers
Betty