Falling in Love with Life Again

Description

‘Falling in Love with Life Again’ by Jutai Toonoo — Cape Dorset Inuit Art from Dorset Fine Arts 2011 original hand drawing collection presented by DaVic Gallery of Native Canadian Arts.

Condition:          No condition noted.

Description by Artist:     No description by artist found.

Notes from DaVic Gallery:   Such simplicity of composition and yet strongly conveys the mood of this man that Jutai captures in revival state that a title is barely required.  Jutai’s drawings cast a spell on us, the magic that attracts us and keeps us staring at his works, is the intensity of life that breathes from all of his works.  The viewer can feel the energy Jutai put into each of his works and now that energy attracts us, calls us to try to understand what he is expressing.  That is the keyword in Jutai’s works, expression.

I find Jutai’s drawings to be an expression of his experiences during a certain day or phase in life where he wonderfully captures human emotions from anger, happiness, depression, relaxation or  a man coming back from lethargy or depression.

What does Jutai think or worry about when he draws?  Is he concerned about techniques or practicing his skills to be better and produce a better and better piece?  I think he is really drawing what comes from his interior, his experiences, giving breath and life to what he shares with us, just as when a friend shares a story with us so descriptive and with so much emotion that we can picture the story in our minds like watching a movie.

The face of this man overall shows the typical grotesque features in Jutai’s portraits and as we look closer and closer we cannot help but feel the dim light that suddenly brightens the darkness this man was surrounded by for perhaps a long time.  It is perhaps good news, love, or a new job that makes this man smile with some effort.  His eye wide with some excitement, almost incredulous.  He is shy, thinks little of himself for he occupies a little space as possible in this space.  Makes me wonder if before western culture was brought to Inuit depression was a social issue.

Reference picture # 7 for size comparison with letter size paper sheet.