Far North Rambles #6: Entrepreneurial Far North Artists
Far North Friday: Entrepreneurial Far North artists. Life can be hard in the remote, far north, First Nation communities, but despite being isolated, I learned that the community-based artists had a keen, but fair, business sense. They also create spectacular art, as well as being very functional.
During visits to remote First Nation communities, we often had the opportunity to observe and purchase fabulous hand-made pieces of art, such as moccasins, hide mitts, hide hats trimmed with beaver fur, medicine pouches, carvings, snowshoes, and paintings. These items were also presented as a gift to special visitors, like politicians, Deputy ministers, and others who arrived in community. When there was a group of visitors, the community artists would lay out their pieces on tables where you could view and buy pieces directly from the artist. I always found those situations personally challenging because I felt guilty buying from one artist and not another.
While I attempted to record and photograph the artist with their work I purchased or received as a gift, I confess that most of the time, I failed to record the name of the artist, or the name is buried in one of my many notebooks, or it was inappropriate to compose a photo of the person with their art.
In community, the artists generally did not sell through a collective. They sold directly to the visitor. And it was a cash economy. So, the cash sale went directly to the artist. I noticed that many art pieces were priced at an amount ending in “$5”. Coincidentally, $5 bills were not common in community. If there was an ATM machine on-reserve, it dispensed $20 dollar bills. I seldom arrived with $5 bills in my wallet. I learned that $5 bills were quite rare in community.
As a buyer, and admirer of their art, I would never attempt to barter the price down because I appreciated the amount of work and time requited buy the materials and make the items. Hence, I would never ask for change. So, a $35 item became a $40 item and a $165 item became a $180 item.
In my experience, the artists knew the value of their work, charged fairly, but sometimes undervalued their art. However, when it came to that “$5 dollar” mark, the community-based artists had a keen, but fair, business sense, and a willing buyer. Sounds like the basis for a respectful exchange.
Some examples of the fine art that I have purchased, or have been gifted, during my travels across the Far North.
Andy Fyon, Sept 4, 2020 (Facebook, February 29/20).