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Write Around PAM: Silas Aittauq

November 5, 2021
Image Description: Spirits. Silas Aittauq. 1986. Serpentine carving 9 in x 4 1/2 in x 1 3/4 in. Sleek gray carving of a spirit with multiple faces. From the angle of the photograph - the body is facing to the right, but the head is turned to face the camera. The face is round with almond shaped eyes and a thin nose carved into it. A slightly opened mouth lies behind a raised strip under the nose. It has bangs that are parted in the middle and angle to each side of the head. The body is leaning forward, right arm bent at the elbow with the hand holding the chin of the turned face. The legs are bent at the knees and there are rounded feet below. The back and space behind the legs has the profile of two additional faces. Long thin noses and plump lips are visible. There are blemishes in the material and scratches across the sculpture. A prominent light colored scratch runs from the right eye, over the lips and chin, over the finger, and down to the armpit.
Silas Aittauq (Canadian, Inuit, and Baker Lake, 1933-2013), Spirits, 1986, serpentine, 9 in x 4 1/2 in x 1 3/4 in, Gift of Meredith and Robert Amon. Portland Art Museum, Portland, Oregon, 2012.127.35

Spirits, by Inuit sculptor Silas Aittauq, carries an energy that seems fitting for this season of Halloween, of harvest, of Dia de Muertos, and of remembering those who have passed. We invite you to take some time today to reflect on, and then write about, your own spirit in this moment. What parts of your spirit are you showing to others? What are you keeping hidden inside? What have you forgotten about in the day-to-day? What are you embodying instead?

We have two prompts to help you get started. As always, you can choose one, both, or write whatever else comes. Set a timer for 11 minutes and just keep your pen or pencil moving.

You can’t tell by looking… / This moment…

Experience this sculpture in person alongside works by other Inuit artists on the second floor of the Museum’s Native American art galleries.

Image Description: Spirits. Silas Aittauq. 1986. Serpentine carving 9 in x 4 1/2 in x 1 3/4 in. Sleek gray carving of a spirit with multiple faces. From the angle of the photograph - the body is facing to the right, but the head is turned to face the camera. The face is round with almond shaped eyes and a thin nose carved into it. A slightly opened mouth lies behind a raised strip under the nose. It has bangs that are parted in the middle and angle to each side of the head. The body is leaning forward, right arm bent at the elbow with the hand holding the chin of the turned face. The legs are bent at the knees and there are rounded feet below. The back and space behind the legs has the profile of two additional faces. Long thin noses and plump lips are visible. There are blemishes in the material and scratches across the sculpture. A prominent light colored scratch runs from the right eye, over the lips and chin, over the finger, and down to the armpit.
View the work in our online collection

Silas Aittauq (Canadian, Inuit, and Baker Lake), Spirits, 1986, serpentine, Gift of Meredith and Robert Amon, © unknown, research required, 2012.127.35

Writing in community is powerful. We are grateful to our longtime partner Write Around Portland for the writing prompts and inspiration. You can revisit past Sunday posts and look for continuing weekly posts through the year. Please share your work with us!  @writearoundpdx @portlandartmuseum #RespectWritingCommunity #WriteAroundPAM

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