Orland Hansen

Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Carving, Jewelry

????? ??? ??????: Simutuk Orland Donald (OD) Hansen grew up in “the bush” near Aklavik, NT with his hunting and trapping family of twelve siblings and parents; Hans, and Kathleen Hansen. During that time, he began to carve driftwood, which later led him to carving in other medium such as bone, horn, antler, and many types of stone. OD moved south with his wife and three daughters to Alberta in 1992 to work for the Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation, as a field operator near Consort, AB. While in Consort, OD purchased carving tools and soapstone and began carving in his spare time. Learning primarily on his own OD soon became an accomplished artist, creating many sculptures integrating various types of materials. Enrolling at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, OD studied Petroleum Engineering Technology for 4 years, graduating first with a Diploma, and then an Applied Degree. While studying at SAIT OD sold his carvings to help with student costs and raising a young family.

OD has participated in the Great Northern Arts Festival (GNAF) in Inuvik, NT on a number of occasions, and plans to continue to do so on a regular basis. During the festivals OD has learned from his peers, and shared techniques on how to carve harder types of stone. Carving primarily larger pieces of art during his earlier years OD has recently started producing wearable art and has fine-tuned this new endeavor over the past few years. OD has successfully participated in the GNAF (Inuvik) Christmas Art Fair to showcase his work.

Throughout the past decade OD had begun to accumulate the tools and raw materials he needed in preparation to take on carving full-time. Now, recently unretired, OD carves and creates his art in Inuvik, NT, and is presently working on building his repertoire in readiness for participating in various art festivals. OD’s artwork can be found across Canada, USA, Australia, and Asia.