Several original carvings by gifted Abenaki artists
Gerard Rancourt Tsonakwa and Yalaikia Wapitaska were on display in an
exhibition entitled Seven Eyes, Seven Legs: Supernatural Stories of the
Abenaki at Arizona State Museum’s Native Goods Gallery from July
16 through August 15, 2001.
The exhibition was a celebration of the Abenaki culture from eastern
Canada and the northeastern United States and is representative of the
images found in a recently published book, of the same name, by the
same gifted couple.
Gerard carves wooden masks and stone sculptures with a full range of
traditional to contemporary styles and themes. He learned carving under
the instruction of his father and other family members. After a long
detour through political movements and other pursuits, he returned to
artwork full time upon the death of his father in 1981. Since then, he
has accomplished more than sixty feature shows in museums and galleries
in partnership with his wife Yolaikia. Across the US, Canada and Europe
he has combined Abenaki stories and language with artwork to introduce
diverse peoples to Abenaki culture and awareness. Gerard is originally
from Quebec, Connecticut and Vermont.
Yolaikia is a self-taught, spontaneous artist. She carves very complex
groupings of figures in antler, amber, and fossil ivory. Finished with
settings of gemstones, many of her works are strung to be worn. Her assemblages
illustrate stories and concepts from Abenaki mythic lore. Yolaikia had
a difficult time maintaining her Abenaki heritage until she discovered
her skill in carving. An accomplished artist, she has more than sixty
feature shows to her credit. Yolaikia is from Quebec and Pennsylvania
Opening Celebration
Saturday, July 21, 2001
Gerard's and Yolaikia's works are also included in their book: Seven
Eyes and Seven Legs, Supernatural Stories of the Abenaki. The book
is also available as an audiotape.
About the Book
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