Like her cousins, Annie Pootoogook and Shuvinai Ashoona, Siassie Kenneally comes from a distinguished line of Cape Dorset artists. Granddaughter of Pitseolak Ashoona and daughter of sculptor Qaqaq Ashoona, Siassie was also influenced by her mother, Mayureak Ashoona whose drawings and sculptures celebrated family and traditional life. As so many of her generation living in Cape Dorset, Siassie spent most … Read More
Janet Kigusiuq: Colour
Throughout her career, Janet Kigusiuq created drawings, prints, sculptures and textiles. Much of her work portrays life as it was once lived on the land as well as Inuit mythology but she also produced striking abstract and semi-abstract drawings and collages that are nothing short of glorious. Many of Kigusiuq’s early drawings are filled to brimming with figures and teaming … Read More
Shuvinai Ashoona – Curiosities
On March 11th we opened Shuvinai Ashoona‘s latest show Curiosities. Continuing with Shuvinai’s constant exploration of imaginary scenes, this show taps into her familiar themes of globes, monsters, and traditional scenes along with the introduction of bones. Shuvinai was present for the exhibition along with Joemie Takpaungai, who assisted the artist translating some of her ideas in Inuktitut. After a … Read More
From Realism to Whimsy: The Drawings of Meelia Kelly
The 14 drawings in this exhibition span a brief six year period. Like her sister Sheojuk Etidloie, Kelly began drawing late in life. From her earliest works in 2001 to her death at age 66 in 2006, her drawing style evolved rapidly. Over a short time, she became more comfortable in manipulating composition, form and colour. Regardless of their date, … Read More
Ningiukulu Teevee: Designing Myths
(Digitized catalogue below) It was Mother’s day when I reached Ningeokuluk Teevee in Iqaluit for our second interview. She was visiting her mother, Kanajuk, who is living at the Elders’ home. We naturally started off talking about our children and the joys and hard work of motherhood. Women feature prominently in Ningeokuluk’s drawings, so I asked her how she sees … Read More
The Awareness Series by Barry Pottle
We were delighted to open The Awareness Series exhibition by Barry Pottle on April 30th, 2016. The show features a series of 19 photographs split into two contrasting concepts depicting Inuit identity. ‘The Eskimo Identification Tag’ (Disc number) was issued by the Government of Canada, starting in the 1940’s, as a means of identifying Inuit for census purposes. The series includes … Read More
Barry Pottle: Awareness Series
“The Eskimo Identification Tag (Disc number)” was developed by the Government of Canada in the 1940/50’s as a means of identifying Inuit for census purposes. From my understanding, Inuit of the Eastern and Western Arctic traditionally had one name which created confusion for government officials, especially if Inuit were identified as having the same name as another community member. It … Read More
Jutai Toonoo: Life
(Digitized catalogue below) Jutai Toonoo belonged to the middle generation of Inuit artists who bridged the old and new worlds of the Arctic. Born in 1959, he grew up in Cape Dorset, a witness to the transformation of this small isolated settlement to a modern community. Ever curious, he took advantage of increased communications and global awareness to reach out … Read More
Tim Pitsiulak’s solo exhibition at Feheley Fine Arts
It was with great enthusiasm that Feheley Fine Arts held the opening of Kimmirut-born artist Tim Pitsiulak’s latest exhibition of drawings, marking the artist’s fourth solo show at the gallery. The bustling event featured a talk from Andrew Hunter, Fredrik S. Eaton Curator of Canadian Art at the Art Gallery of Ontario. As a friend of the artist, Andrew has … Read More
Tim Pitsiulak: South Baffin Way
(Digitized catalogue below) Over the last decade, Tim Pitsiulak has become one of the most sought-after contemporary Inuit artists. Born in Kimmirut but now residing in Cape Dorset, he currently divides his time between drawing in Kinngait Studios and spending time on the land, which he refers to as ‘his office’. A skilled hunter, he provides food for his family … Read More
Aoudla Pudlat: Wildlife Drawings
We are excited to present this collection of original drawings created by Cape Dorset artist Aoudla Pudlat between 1985 and 1989. These drawings portray an immense respect for the animals of his local environment, as well as a strong tie to traditional Inuit life. His works vary from realistic to fanciful. The fantastic and colourful birds in this collection are … Read More
Nicotye Samayualie: Drawings
Nicotye Samayualie is part of the younger generation of artists in Cape Dorset. In addition to being an artist and a devoted mother, she is has studied art education, and has worked in social services and military recruitment. Samayualie’s drawings reflect her life and personality, while her thoughtful details and individual graphic style demonstrate a contemporary edge. Her landscapes, although … Read More