Art & Innovation

Traditional Arctic Footwear from the Bata Shoe Museum Collection – Closes April 30, 2022

Situated at the very top of the world, the Arctic spans over fourteen million square kilometers and eight countries. While its landscape seems harsh and inhospitable, over forty distinct cultural groups have thrived here for centuries. And among the most beautiful and innovative of their products are the footwear and clothing they created to meet environmental challenges and express cultural meanings.

Drawing from the BSM’s extensive circumpolar holdings, and building upon information gathered from extensive, museum-sponsored fieldwork, Art and Innovation showcases a vast variety of footwear, garments and tools. These highlight the artistry and ingenuity of the makers and reveal different cultural identities, crafting techniques and spiritual meanings.

Did you know that the BSM has a streaming audio guide for this gallery available to all visitors free of charge (in English and in French)? Click here for more information.

For media requests please contact Rosmarie Gadzovski, Head of Communications
For image requests please contact Suzanne Petersen, Collections Manager/Registrar.

In this episode of the BSM’s web series “The World at Your Feet”, Senior Curator Elizabeth Semmelhack examines the techniques and skills used by Canadian Inuit women to create intricate and beautiful designs on traditional kamiks.

Siberian White Reindeer Boots

Siberian White Reindeer Boots

Khanty. Beloyarsk, Ob Basin, Siberia, Russia, 1980s

This pair of all-white reindeer boots was made in the 1980s by Natasha Moldanova for her son, a hunter and fisherman. She used coloured strips of wool to highlight the seams of the boot as well as to make the stripe just under the knee that identified the wearer as male. The boots are held tight to the leg by hand woven garters with wool pompoms. Boots like this were worn to the annual reindeer festival held in March. Photo by Ron Wood

Saami upturned toe shoes

Saami upturned toe shoes

Saami. Aiddejavre, Norway

Boots across Sápmi share a number of common features, from the use of colourful textiles to the distinctive upturned toe. However, regional differences are also present. The different colours and patterns found in the long ties, called vuoddagat, reflect regional differences. The construction details also reveal where boots were made. Photo by Ron Wood

Red Kamiks from Greenland

Red Kamiks from Greenland

Kalaallit. Disco Island, Greenland, 1955

Gender difference is, in part, expressed through footwear design in traditional Greenlandic dress. Men wear boots that typically reach only as high as mid-calf while women’s soar thigh-high. Color is also a feature of gender difference. White and red are commonly used for women’s footwear while black is reserved for men. This pair of red kamiks was made by Laurie Jeremiassen for her silver wedding anniversary. Photo by Ron Wood

Polar Bear Kamiks

Polar Bear Kamiks

Iglulingmiut. Arctic Bay, Northwest Territories, Canada, 1987

Fur inlay is a technique used by Inuit seamstresses to create complex designs in the boots and garments that they make. Traditional designs are geometric but more contemporary boots feature highly curvilinear patterns. Seamstresses match the direction of the different furs used to create the design ensuring that they all go in same direction. This pair was made by Leah Okadluk in 1987 and features polar bears in white seal fur. Photo by Ron Wood

Alaskan Men's Hunting Boots

Alaskan Men's Hunting Boots

Inupiat. Unalakleet, Alaska, United States, c. 1940-1960

Men’s hunting boots are made to withstand rugged use and are often made to go over the knee. These boots feature dehaired sealskin and are rubbed with oil, which imparts a deep brown colour to the skin. The seal fur band at the top was designed to be worn over the knee or folded over depending on the wearer’s requirements and were made by Ellen Slwooko for Howard Slwooko Sr. Photo by Ron Wood

Siberian Fur-Soled Shoe

Siberian Fur-Soled Shoe

Chukchi, Chukchi Pennisula, Siberia, Russia, late 1980s

Krasneno, Siberia, Russia, late 1980s. Among the Even, Evenski and Chukchi, boot makers crafted innovative soles that allowed for better traction when walking across slippery ice and snow. Using the skins found between the toes on a reindeer’s foot, seamstresses created boots with thick, furry soles which had the reindeer hairs splayed out in every direction. This additional traction was not only useful when walking or running across ice, it also helped to secure skis to boots. This pair dates to the late 1980s. The pieced sole and reindeer toe‐skins were also collected around the same time. Photo by Ron Wood

All About Shoes

Exhibitions

The Gold Standard

The Gold Standard

Past Exhibitions

Past Exhibitions

WANT

Art Wear