Like all peoples, the Inuit first made utilitarian objects: harpoon points, knives, utensils, toys. They also made objects simply to express beauty or portray imaginary elements; they sculpted animals, spirits or scenes from everyday life.
Inuit artists use steatite, a fragile black stone, along with whale bone and ivory for their sculptures. They also engrave images in steatite and then coat them in ink and print the image on paper.
Today, Inuit sculptures and engravings are highly sought after as works of art. Inuit artists have created organizations through which to publicize and sell their works around the world.