Representing the “Sea Woman”
Frédéric Laugrand, Jarich Oosten
Religion and the Arts 2009 DOI: 10.1163/107992609x12524941450000 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that the sea woman's iconographic ambiguity is central to her role in Inuit culture, providing shamans with narrative flexibility and enabling modern artists to reinterpret her in sculpture. |
Abstract
Abstract This paper examines the dynamics of the representation of the “sea woman,” sometimes known as Sedna, among the Inuit of Northeastern Canada in myths, shamanic experiences, and modern artistic representations. The varying representations of the sea women are connected to shamanic practice. The sea woman does not have a clearly defined iconography; this lack of definition gave shamans some flexibility in giving versions of encounters with the sea women, and enables Inuit artists to utilize that lack of iconographic specificity in creating their sculptures today.