Koomuatuk Curley

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Koomuatuk Curley

B. 1984
Kinngait, Nunavut

Koomuatuk (Kuzy) Curley is a sculptor, director and videographer from Kinngait, NU. Curley learned to carve from his grandparents during the summers he spent as a child at their outpost camp near Kinngait and began to carve professionally while in junior high school, becoming the third generation carver of his family. In 2014 Curley directed his film "Kiawak Ashoona" and has exhibited his work across Canada including being featured in iNuit Blanche in 2016, St. John’s, NL. Curley has written for and appeared in the "Inuit Art Quarterly" as well as many other publications.

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Johnny Inukpuk

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Johnny Inukpuk

B. 1911 - 2007
Inoucdjouac, Québec

Johnny Inukpuk began carving in the early 1950's and his sculptures reflected both the austere and loving realities of life. 

His work received recognition as part of an exhibition of Inuit art known as The Coronation Exhibition held at Gimpel Fils in London, England in 1953. 

In 1978, Inukpuk was made a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Fine Arts. A prolific artist, he was still carving well into his later years. 

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Osuitok Ipeelee

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Osuitok Ipeelee

B. 1922 - 2005
Neeouleeutalik Camp, NT

Osuitok Ipeelee was an artist originally from the Neeouleeutalik Camp. He first learned to carve by watching his father Ohotok and then by experimenting in his teens with carving wood and other found materials. Ipeelee moved to Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU, where he became instrumental in the print and carving programs in the community, creating depictions of Arctic animals as well as humans engaged in traditional activities. Caribou were among his preferred subject matter, crafting their elegant bodies from stone and antler, such as his work Standing Caribou (1985). In 1955, along with Peter Pitseolak, Ipeelee directed a team of craftsmen to carve the official mace for the Council of the Northwest Territories. In 1959, he was also commissioned to create a sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II, which was presented to her upon her visit to Canada that same year.

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Toona Iqalik (Iquliq)

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Toona Iqalik (Iquliq)

1935-2015
Baker Lake, Nunavut Territory

Toona Iqalik was born in 1935 near Baker Lake, where he lived and worked for most of his career.  With over 40 years of experience carving, he is most recognized for his rounded abstract carvings of people.  However, figures such as muskox, birds and bears were also characteristic. His children, Johnny, Louie and Camill are also well known carvers.  Since the 1960s, Toona has had numerous exhibitions across North America and the United States as well as in Europe and England.

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Mattiusi Iyaituk

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Mattiusi Iyaituk

Mattiusi Iyaituk is internationally recognized for his unique contemporary approach to carving. Often using multiple materials such as stone, ivory, bone and hair, his carvings are rooted in traditional motifs but expressed through a contemporary lens.

His works are found in many important public collections including the National Gallery of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

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Qavavau Manumie

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Qavavau Manumie

Qavavau Manumie
B. 1958
Cape Dorset

Qavavau Manumie is a well established artist based in Cape Dorset Nunavut. His work can be found in collections around the world including the National gallery of Canada, Museum of Civilization and The McMichael Collection of Canadian Art. His signature style of adding a sense of whimsy and humor to Inuit narratives has separated his work from many other Inuit artists. Qavavau is also a master print-maker. He is involved in carving and inking the stone tablets for the famous annual collection of prints that is released each year. His reputation has taken him around the globe to give demonstrations and teach others the art that he has spent almost four decades perfecting.

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Kakee Ningeosiaq

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Kakee Ningeosiaq

 

Originally from Iqaluit, Kakee moved to Cape Dorset in 1993. He began carving at the age of 16 and although he is self-taught, he also learned by watching other carvers, which included His father, Ningeosiak Peter, and his mother, Parnee Peter. Kakee’s grandfather, the late Jamasie Teevee was a well-known graphic artist.

He is also known as Ningeeochiak, Peter

Exhibitions
1991   Inuit Music in Art: Singing & Dancing & Playing, Feheley Fine Arts, Toronto, ON
1995   Miniaturen, Inuit Galerie, Mannheim, Germany, (brochure)
1997   Stone & Bone, The Inuit Master Carvers of the Canadian Arctic, The North West Company, Sun Valley Center for the Arts &          Humanities Ketchum, ID
2010   Arctic Wind III: An Expression of Survival, Coastal Peoples Gallery, Vancouver, BC, (illustrated brochure)
2012   Small Treasures, Inuit Gallery of Vancouver, Vancouver, BC

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Andrew Palongayak

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Andrew Palongayak

B. 1946
Gjoa Haven

Andrew Palongayak is a stone and mixed-media sculptor from Gjoa Haven, Nunavut Territory. His wife, Ann Palongayak, and her brother, Ralph Porter, are also artists. Andy carves both animal and human figures, frequently depicting shamans and associated spirits. His carving evokes a sense of considerable strength and solidity.

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Markoosie Papigatok

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Markoosie Papigatok

B: 1976
Puvirnituq, QC

Markoosie Papigatok is a well recognized carver based in Kinngait, Nunavut. Papigatok was born in Puvirnituq Nunavuk, Quebec. He learned carving by observing those around him, including his grandfather, Qavaroak Tunnillie, and uncle, Ashevak Tunnillie.

Papigatok’s sculptures have been included in exhibitions throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States. His work is continuously featured in the Canadian Art Gallery in Basel, Switzerland, and can be found in the public collections of the Musee d’art Inuit Brousseau in Quebec City, QC, and the Canada Council Art Bank in Ottawa, ON, among others.

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Napachie Pootoogook

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Napachie Pootoogook

1938-2002

Baffin Island, Nunavut Territory

Napachie Pootoogook was known both for her prints and, later in her career, for her original drawings.  Napachie is known for documenting ancestral stories of camp life and legend.  Since the 1960s her work has been a highlight of the Cape Dorset Print Collection.  Her work was shaped by her experience as the last of a generation to live 'on the land' in a traditional way.

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Palaya Qiatsuq

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Palaya Qiatsuq

B. 1965
Cape Dorset

Palaya learned how to carve the traditional way - by watching his father. He carved his first two pieces at the age of 12, a bird and a bear. For the past 20 years Palaya has been carving and keeping traditioal stories alive through his work. Stories of transformation and shmanism from his childhood are among Palaya's favourite themes. 

Although Palaya views himself as an artist above all else, he is also a "traditionalist with a mission." 

"I also see my mission as edicating and teaching others about my culture. Any opportunity I have to travel and give demonstrations and workshops helps contribute to others' apreciation of our art forms." - Palaya Qiatsuq

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Pauta Saila

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Pauta Saila

Kinngait, NU

1916 - 2009

An innovative carver known especially for developing the dancing bear sculptures, Pauta Saila remains one of the most recognized Inuit carvers to date. Born in Kilaparutua camp on Baffin Island in 1916, Saila learned by watching his father to live on the land as well as how to carve. He remained a hunter throughout his life, and focused his artistic endeavours solely to carving in 1981. Saila also drew images of arctic wildlife and his work was featured in the Cape Dorset Annual Print Collection from 1962-1981. He was elected to the Royal Academy of Arts in 2003.

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Daniel Shimout

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Daniel Shimout

1972 - 2022
Salliq, NU

Daniel Shimout is an artist based in Salliq (Coral Harbour), NU, where he was born and raised. He has been carving since his teenage years, following in the footsteps of many artists in his family.

Daniel Shimout grew up watching his father, Anakudlak Shimout, carve and learned about the different tools and techniques he used, which influences some of the processes Shimout uses today. Shimout started carving at the young age of 16 and has been carving for over 25 years now.

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Tommy Takpanie Jr.

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Tommy Takpanie Jr.

Iqaluit, NU

Tommy Takpanie Jr. is a full-time carver from Iqaluit, NU, who is known for his polar bear sculptures. Tommy Sr., his father, is also a carver, as are Tommy Jr.’s siblings Pauloosie, Jamasee, Jackie and Mary.

Takpanie’s father is also known for his polar bears, although he usually depicts them dancing, where Takpanie Jr. shows them in realistic motion. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally.

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Toonoo Sharky RCA

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Toonoo Sharky RCA

Toonoo’s parents, Josephee Sharky and Ragee Killiktee, were both carvers, though he credits his grandfather Kuppapik Ragee and his uncle Shorty Killiktee as influences. Toonoo started carving at age ten, began to get serious at thirteen and first exhibited when he was just seventeen. He is regarded as one of the most exciting young carvers to emerge in the Arctic. His themes include dramatic treatments of wildlife, particularly birds, and transformational works that are both powerful and humorous. Recent sculptures feature inlays of different coloured stone and ivory for eyes and other details. 

 

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Oviloo Tunnillie R.C.A.

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Oviloo Tunnillie R.C.A.

B. 1949-2014

Cape Dorset, Nunavut Territory

Oviloo Tunnillie is the daughter of two artists, Sheojuk and Toonoo Tunnillie. From watching her father carve, she developed an early interest in the practice and completed her first sculpture in 1965. She is one of the only Inuit artists to choose nudes as her subject matter. 

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Ooloosie Saila

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Ooloosie Saila

B: 1991

Iqaluit, NU

Ooloosie Saila is an emerging artist working out of Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU. Saila draws landscapes with intricate details as well as prints that feature an energetic combination of colour and patterns. As a child, Ooloosie was inspired to draw through occasional visits to the home of Kenojuak Ashevak. At age 14 she won first prize at her high school drawing contest. She began selling her drawings to the Co-op in 2015 and continues to explore many divers themes and ideas in her work.

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Kudluajuk Ashoona

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Kudluajuk Ashoona

1958 - 2019

Cape Dorset, Nunavut Territory

Kudluajuk Ashoona's biological parents were the well-known carvers, Kabubuwa and Tayara Tunnillie. She was adopted by the family of the notable graphic artist, Simeonie Quppapik. Kudluajuk did not seriously begin to make art until 2011. In a rare reversal of influence, she was inspired to draw by her daughter, Nicotye Samayualie. Kudluajuk’s works are very narrative and literal. Her drawings often depict scenes of contemporary family life. Family outings, domestic gatherings and leisure activities are some of her favourite subjects.

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Napachie Ashoona

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Napachie Ashoona

Napachie Ashoona is a member of one of the most eminent families of Inuit artists in Canada. Napachie grew up surrounded by both graphic and sculpture artists. His late grandmother Pitseolak, father Kiugak, and sister Shuvinai are all recipients of the Royal Canadian Academy of Art.

Napachie started sculpting at seven years old, and started drawing in 2021. He likes to draw animals and hunting scenes, and was inspired to draw by watching his late mother Sorosilutu, and sister Shuvinai. He was also a stonecut printer since 2020, up until the early part of 2023.

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Shuvinai Ashoona

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Shuvinai Ashoona

Shuvinai Ashoona was born in 1961 in Cape Dorset, NU. Her imaginative and evocative drawings take a personal look at complex realities of contemporary Inuit life , histories of traditional spirituality versus organized religion and  the influence of North American culture on a population that has experienced a dramatic change of lifestyle and culture in a single generation.

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Annie Pootoogook

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Annie Pootoogook

Annie Pootoogook was born in 1969 in Cape Dorset, Nunavut. She came from a long line of artists and began drawing in 1997. Annie’s drawings reflected her way of life as a contemporary female artist living and working in Canada’s far north. Ranging in expression from the apparently mundane and everyday to the personal and brutally intimate, Annie’s work is well known for her innovative and honest style. Her untimely passing in 2016 was a huge loss to the community of Cape Dorset and the new wave of contemporary Inuit art.
 
 

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Cee Pootoogook

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Cee Pootoogook

Cee Pootoogook

B: August 1, 1967

Cee Pootoogook is known for his depictions of day to day activities of community life as well as traditional subjects
and wildlife. Initially beginning a career in carving in the 1990s, Cee would later transition to stonecut printing before focusing his attention to drawing full time.

Cee is the eldest son of the late Napachie Pootoogook and Eegyvadluk Pootoogook, and older brother to the well known Cape Dorset contemporary artist, Annie Pootoogook.

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Quvianaqtuk Pudlat

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Quvianaqtuk Pudlat

b. 1962 -

Kinggait, Nunavut Territory

Quvianaqtuk Putlat’s career as an artist has shifted from carving to drawing over the last decade. His two dimensional work was first shown in the 2017 print collection where his print “Sparring Owls” was selected for the cover. Since that time, we have seen his individual style become more established and it now stands at the forefront of contemporary Inuit art. Quvianiaqtuk has an innate ability to take well established themes and elevate them through a contemporary lens. Images of caribou bring to mind Kananginak Pootoogook, while the epic scale and expressive character of the subjects are reminiscent of Tim Pitsiulak. However, Quvianaqtuk’s drawings are distinct and exceptional, showing his unique voice in the artistic community.

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Ooloosie Saila

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Ooloosie Saila

B: 1991

Iqaluit, NU

Ooloosie Saila is an emerging artist working out of Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU. Saila draws landscapes with intricate details as well as prints that feature an energetic combination of colour and patterns. As a child, Ooloosie was inspired to draw through occasional visits to the home of Kenojuak Ashevak. At age 14 she won first prize at her high school drawing contest. She began selling her drawings to the Co-op in 2015 and continues to explore many divers themes and ideas in her work.

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Padloo Samayualie

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Padloo Samayualie

Padloo Samayualie

Kinngait, Nunavut

B. 1977-

Padloo comes from a family of well-known artists, her maternal grandparents being the renowned sculptors, Qababuwa and Taraya Tunnillie. Her grandmother, Keeleemeeoomie Samayualie and her aunt, Elijakota Samayualie both were established artists in drawing and graphic arts.

Padloo has a unique approach to both traditional and contemporary subjects and began drawing seriously while attending a Banff drawing workshop in 2001.

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Ningiukulu Teevee

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Ningiukulu Teevee

Ningeokuluk Teevee
B. 1963
Cape Dorset

Since her first prints appeared in the collection in 2004, Ningeokuluk has been one of Kinngait studio’s most celebrated artists. She has a comprehensive knowledge of Inuit legends and a fine sense of design and composition. These elements have made many of her prints highly sought after by collectors. Ningeokuluk has had numerous solo shows of her bold and resplendent drawings and some of her work has been featured in exhibitions in major public galleries and museums.

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