“A Blind Man's Vision,” 2003; limestone, tagua palm nut, moose bone, ebony; 8.5" x 6.7" x 4.6", gift to NMAI by R.E. Mansfield, 2006. 26/5810


MICHAEL MASSIE Michael Massie (Labrador Inuit/Métis/Scottish) of Kippens, Newfoundland, learned some of the skills he uses to create art by watching his mother create items such as the grass baskets she wove as well as moose and seal-skin boots she sewed. He went on to learn how to draw and make silver jewelry in high school and commercial art courses in college. However, it was when he combined metal and wood from his Scottish heritage with the limestone, moose bone and sinew indicative of his Inuit ancestry that he redefined Inuit art. Now his unique style of whimsical teapots and sculptures are recognized throughout the Inuit art world. Coming from a harsh environment, he says humor was a big part of his growing up: “You kind of have to have a sense of humor to survive at times.” And as “storytelling is big for the Inuit,” says Massie, every piece of his art tells one. For example, on one side of “A Blind Man's Vision,” (top) an elderly hunter who has lost his vision from snow blindness puts on snow goggles and appeals to the owl (on the reverse side, left) to restore his vision for one last hunt.


SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 39


PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL MASSIE


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