Although the Inuit have lived in the Artic since prehistoric times, Inuit art as we know it only came about in the late 1940s. This contemporary art form is appreciated around the world for its power and exquisite beauty, an art that embodies the Inuit's harsh artic environment, unique way of life, and traditional beliefs. This historical, cultural, and aesthetic exploration of Inuit art features examples of Inuit drawings, prints, textiles, and sculpture through 125 color photos, 35 black-and-white photos, and maps.

''New revised edition of a reference in which Swinton (one of the foremost authorities on Inuit sculpture) presents most of the important carvings of the pre-historic, historic, and contemporary eras, re-examining the trends of the past and revealing new directions in the development of this distinct yet highly variegated art form. The heart of the volume is an extensive catalogue of artists listed by area, and a profusely illustrated commentary in which Swinton examines the environment, history, and culture from which these works have arisen. Contains approximately 2,000 cross-indexed entries, an inventory of artists, and updated captions (including re-attributions).''-

Provides a brief history of the Inuit people and discusses their customs as a background for understanding their sculpture, drawing, and printmaking.

In the 1950s, Chauncey C. Nash started collecting Inuit carvings just as the art of printmaking was introduced in Kinngait (Cape Dorset). His collection of early Inuit sculpture and prints represents a vibrant period in contemporary Inuit art. Drawing from ethnology, archaeology, art history, and cultural studies, Lutz tells the collection’s story.

Lavishly illustrated with over a hundred color reproductions, this new paperback edition is an impressive photographic tribute to an art form that is regularly featured in major art exhibitions worldwide. Born out of economic necessity, Inuit art has captured the imagination of art lovers since 1948, when it was first exhibited. Celebrating Inuit Art showcases sculpture from the period when Canadian Inuit abandoned their nomadic lifestyle to settle in small villages across the Arctic. During this tumultuous time, in a society threatened with acculturation, art played a critical social role, preserving and expressing the culture's rich oral history."