What do Shuvinai Ashoona’s Tentacles (2018), Ningiukulu Teevee’s Stepping Out (2020), and Ooloosie Saila’s Festive Owl (2021), have in common? They are all lithographs—a largely popular, yet little understood method of printmaking. The art of lithography made a late arrival to the Kinngait Studios as printers began experiments in the early 1970s. In 1975, lithographs made their debut in the … Read More
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
This year marks the first time Canada will observe September 30th as a new statutory holiday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the thousands of lives taken and affected by the residential school system. The time for reconciliation is long overdue; we are reminded to never forget how children were forcibly separated from their families and … Read More
Themes in Inuit Art: The Bear
From sitting to walking to dancing to fighting, the polar bear is one of the most depicted subjects in Inuit sculpture. Perhaps the arctic’s most iconic animal, the solitary bear is also the most powerful. With no natural predators, the bear remains at the top of the Arctic food chain and is both feared and respected by neighbouring animals and … Read More
Themes in Inuit Art: Transformation
Since the 1950s, the theme of the transformation has featured in sculptures, prints, and drawings by Inuit artists hailing from many communities across the Canadian arctic. Depictions of human figures intertwined with animals have permeated the art form in various styles and media, captivating audiences for decades. While many admire the creativity and spirit that emanates from such pieces, the … Read More
A Brief History of Kinngait Printmaking
The world-renowned Kinngait Studios has welcomed experimentation and innovation in printmaking for over six decades. Many may be familiar with the story of its infancy, featuring Southern artist James Houston and his wife Alma, who were sent North by the Canadian government in the 1950s to establish an arts and crafts program in Kinngait. But the stars of this story … Read More
The Wonders of Baleen
This year’s annual Cape Dorset print collection included a number of showstopping prints featuring recognizable arctic subject matter. From the whimsical kamik-wearing owl in Ningiukulu Teevee’s dynamic lithograph Stepping Out, to Pauojoungie Saggiak’s open-mouthed char in First Catch, to Nicotye Samayualie’s luminous nocturne Silaqtiq (Bright Evening), the animals and landscapes of the Canadian arctic dominated the graphics of 2020. Perhaps … Read More
Performance by Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory
In conjunction with virtual Art Toronto 2020, Feheley Fine Arts was pleased to present a live performance by multi-disciplinary artist Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory. Joining us via Zoom live from her home in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Williamson Bathory’s spectacular performance was a mix of uaajeerneq (Greenlandic mask dance), spoken word, and visual storytelling. The artist reflected on the present moment and the … Read More
Themes in Inuit Art: Mother and Child
We’re overjoyed that our own Elyse recently welcomed a baby girl into the world! In honour of the new mom and baby, we decided to take a look at one of the most common subjects depicted in Inuit art—the Mother and Child. From early sculptures of Inuk mothers cradling children or keeping babies warm in their hoods, to the many … Read More
What Type of Stone is This?
“What type of stone is this?” is one of the most common questions we receive about sculptures, and it’s a good one. While many think of Inuit sculpture as synonymous with “soapstone” (the name given to a specific type of soft stone), artists across the Arctic in fact use a variety of local stone types that are available in their … Read More
What’s the Difference Between “Inuit” and “Eskimo”?
You’ve likely heard the name “Eskimo” used to refer to Inuit and their culture, whether by your grandparents, parents, or maybe even a friend who grew up outside of Canada. It’s a term that has been out of date since 1980 when the name “Inuit” (meaning “people” in Inuktitut) was recognized by the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) to denote Inuit … Read More
Venice Biennale – Sincerity wins.
Welcome to the carnival. The 58th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia opened today with crazy crowds and crazy art. Has the world gone truly mad? In the main “May You Live in Interesting Times” show we were “entertained” by a half-size plastic cow circling on a railway track. The gathering throngs seemed as concerned with their own … Read More
A Transcendent Moment for the Inuit at the Venice Biennale.
We are here in Venice for the opening of the 58th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. More precisely, we are here for the opening of the first Canadian Pavillion in the history of the world’s premier art show to showcase the work of Inuit artists. This historic moment seems even more poignant at this remove from the … Read More