Carving
Bringing an object, expressive or static, out of a piece of stone is a talented endeavour. Baker Lake sculpture is known for two characteristics — stylistically raw, and stone that is hard and typically black. However, stone quality and subject matter varies by artist from complicated transformational beings to the softness of a mother and baby to simple shapes of animals.
Most carvings are of soapstone variations with possible accents in antler or ivory; very few carvings today are done solely in antler. As Baker Lake is an inland community, materials from sea animals (such as walrus and whale) are not or very rarely used in carvings.
Tools range from simple hand tools of files and chisels to electric grinders and polishers. Use of ventilation masks are encouraged, but not always utilized. Most stone is gathered locally, but not without the associated hazards (water or land transportation via boat or snowmobile, proper quarrying tools and use, and the sheer heaviness of transporting large pieces of stone out of the ground). Carving is usually done outside, which is healthier for the artist and family, but exposes them to some harsh conditions of black flies or extreme cold and wind
