Foreword At the dawn of the twenty-first century, some people might question the necessity of another exhibition devoted to the artistic expression of Inuit women. Surely, they would say, the point has been well made in over twenty group exhibitions (and even more solo exhibitions) of Inuit women’s art since the mid-1970s in galleries across North America. And yet, reviewing … Read More
Material Culture: The Art of Mayureak Ashoona
“These are all about history – what has been going on. They are memories; the whole truth about all of life for those who forget about their history; to make sure that the young people know what really happened; to work both sides, from the past to the future; to communicate with people in the South because I can’t speak … Read More
Spirit of the Walrus
The walrus is among the most popular and recognizable subjects of Inuit art. In realistic depictions or mythological compositions, the walrus is a recurrent and powerful spirit. Walruses are massive mammals, larger than the polar bear, living on the ice across the eastern Canadian Arctic. The name, walrus, is from the Danish hvalros (sea cow). For centuries, the Inuit have … Read More
Material Matters: The Media of Inuit Art
Introduction Artists worldwide grapple with the materials they use to translate ideas into physical form and the Inuit are no exception. Some begin with the flat surface of a page on which to build up an image from inspired marks, while others work to free their subject from an existing substance such as stone. The materials chosen are ultimately means … Read More
Transformed: The Last Works of Sheojuk Etidlooie
“Aanaan [My mother], your wisdom, strength and guidance have and always will guide us through life. We all miss you. Your loving son,” – Pauloosie Suvega, Iqaluit, 1999 “We didn’t realize how well-known my mother was in the south. She rarely spoke about her art. We thought she just wanted to be able to provide for her family. Her family … Read More
Facing Dorset: John Reeves – Portraits of the Artists of Cape Dorset
An arrested gaze. A weathered cheek. Light flooding the surface of a printing stone. The intimate actions of an artist lost in the act of creation. These are John Reeves’ photographs of the Inuit artists of Cape Dorset. In glowing whites and inky blacks, he has immortalized the residents of the north during visits to the Canadian Arctic spanning more … Read More
Sheojuk Etidlooie: Original Drawings
Our perception of an artist is that technique can be learned but talent is latent, lying dormant until stirred by opportunity. Sheojuk’s opportunity came late in life. She did not begin to draw until she was in her mid-60’s, as the result of a chance occurrence. Barely six months later, the first of her distinctive images appeared on the cover … Read More
The Sculpture of Kenojuak Ashevak & Joanassie Igiu – 1978-1981
Kenojuak Ashevak and Joanassie Igiu lived together in Cape Dorset from 1978 until Joanassie’s death in 1981. This exhibition features sculpture created by both of these artists during this brief time. Born in 1927, Kenojuak Ashevak lived on the land until the mid-1960’s when she and her late husband Johnniebo settled permanently with their family in Cape Dorset. She began … Read More