Welcome to the Northern Lights Trade Show 2008
Simionie Akavak
Kimmirut, Nunavut
Simionie Akavak was born in Lake Harbour (now Kimmirut) in 1965. While Simionie holds Journeyman Carpenter papers from Nunavut Arctic College and has worked on an offshore shrimp boat in the Davis Strait packing turbot and shrimp, he much prefers to paint. An accomplished carver, Simionie draws upon his environment, finding inspiration in the everyday events of Tsimi’s Life. He often adds a personal touch to his work by framing it with lumber he finds in the community dump. This past year he has become increasingly committed to painting, practicing nearly every day. Painting has truly become his passion.
Johnny Akpahatak
Aupaluk, Nunavik
Johnny Akpahatak began carving at a young age after watching his father carve to subsidize their income, which was based primarily on hunting and fishing. He carved in soapstone before moving to jewellery, during which time he experimented with materials such as ivory, bone and brass. Johnny also learned how to make Inuit tools such as ulus, panaks (snow knives) and harpoon heads. Johnny attended the Makivik Art Workshop in Kuujjuaq in 2006 in order to acquire additional skills using power tools such as diamond cutters. Johnny is known for his unique style, often selling out, and he has received several commissions.
Dinah Andersen
Nunatsiavut
Dinah Andersen was born in Okak Bay, Labrador in 1956, was raised in Makkovik and now resides in Goose Bay. Ms. Andersen is a multi-media artist who specializes in carving, painting, printing and traditional crafts. She attended Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook, the Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s, and the University of Ottawa in Ontario. Dinah was invited to an Art Symposium in Trani, Italy, where she created her largest sculpture to date. The sculpture was of Sedna, the Inuit sea goddess, carved in Trani limestone and measured one and a half meters by a half meter by three quarters of a meter. She has had her work exhibited across Canada and sold work in the United States and Europe. In 1996, she received funding from the Canada Council for the Arts to revive the tradition of sewing baskets using salt water grass. During this project, Dinah learned how to make grass baskets in the traditional way, dying grass using the juice of berries and carving handles from stone and bone. Presently, Dinah is concentrating on stone carving once again and has a contract from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to produce soapstone pendants.
Angela Andrew
Labrador
Angela was born in 1946 in Tshiaskusheet (Gull Island), at a time when Labrador’s Montagnais Innu were still living traditional, nomadic lives in the bush. Her father was a trapper and subsistence hunter-gatherer and her Grandfather Meskina was a shaman. After Angela’s marriage and the birth of her seven children, she began making the teadolls that she had played with as a child. Thirty-five years later, with 30 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren to teach and to show her traditional crafts to, she has become quite a prolific teadoll maker - producing over 100 of her distinctive hunter and mother and baby teadolls a year. For Angela, it is important to create these dolls and keep this tradition alive. The fact that relatively few of these dolls are being made anymore, and that they originate from this one remote area and first nations group in central Labrador, makes the Innu teadoll a highly-prized and sought-after collector’s item.
Daniel Annanack
Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik
Daniel has been carving since he was eleven. Working with caribou antler, he draws his inspiration from hunting trips along the Korac and George Rivers taken with his late father, Josepi Sam Annanack, who taught Daniel how to carve. As well as being a respected and renowned carver in Nunavik, Daniel is also a teacher at the Ulluriaq School in Kangiqsualujjuaq. For over four years, he has been training secondary school students to become adept carvers and sculptors through the Kativik School Board’s Independent Pathways of Learning Program. Daniel’s signature carvings of fishing scenes appear in public and private collections in all the major southern Canadian cities, as well as in the United States and Australia.
Irene Avaalaaqiaq
Baker Lake, Nunavut
Renowned for her wall-hangings and original drawings, Avaalaaqiaq is also recognized for her prints, which have appeared in the Baker Lake graphic collections from the earliest years. Irene often creates a resonating pattern that depicts different beings coming together. Her husband, the late David Tiktaalaaq, was a sculptor.
Sarah Baikie
Nunatsiavut
Born in 1950 in Rocky Cove, Newfoundland, nearly 25 miles outside of the Inuit community of Rigolet, Sarah grew interested in sewing grass from watching her grandmother and mother master the craft. Intrigued, she began to sew at the age of seven. Since the age of fifteen, Sarah has focused on the production of grasswork. Sarah sold her first set of 4 six-inch mats for twenty five cents each, earning her one dollar in sales, which, at the time, was quite a large payment. Selling work across Canada, and as far away as Japan, Sarah assisted in the development of a grasswork collection, in which her work is included, for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. Sarah now lives in Rigolet, and continues to sew wild salt water grass and particularly enjoys created lidded baskets. A passion of Sarah’s, as is apparent in her travels and work, is to showcase the talents of Rigolet and Nunatsiavut, and accurately represent the hidden gems of Northern Labrador.
Mary Eetook
Kangirsuk, Nunavik
Mary Eetook was born in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik in 1974 and was raised by her grandmother. She learned how to sew by watching her grandmother and by learning from a teacher at school. She soon became skilled at making the traditional Inuit nassaqs. While living in Montreal at the age of 19, Mary started to make nassaqs with floral designs. Since that time, she has been busy keeping up with orders for her uniquely embroidered hats, mitts, and gloves.
Bobby Eetuk
Coral Harbour, Nunavut
Bobby Eetuk was born in Coral Harbour in 1974, and still resides in the community of approximately 700 people. When growing up, his mother Liveena Eetuk carved to support the family, but it was not until Bobby was older, while watching his relatives carve in their spare time, that he became interested in learning himself. Working in local soapstone, Bobby tends to carve hunters and drum dancers, as well as transformational images: “I enjoy carving; it’s a tradition. Every carving tells a story about the past. I’m proud of carving as an Inuk, to be there to carve in the traditional form of our ancestors.” In his spare time, Bobby Eetuk experiments with other carving materials, and also he participates in the traditional activities of hunting and fishing.
Jerry Ell
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
Jerry was born on January 25, 1961 and raised by his late father, Ben Ell, and his mother Marie, who still resides in Iqaluit. As a young teenager his summers were spent working with a number of talented artists who exposed him to their different styles and provided him with hands-on experience working with stone. Soon after, he began working for his father quarrying soapstone and learned how to grade various stone materials. Jerry considered learning how to produce quality work his most important art lesson: determining the theme, maintaining the balance and ensuring proper finish and polish. Jerry now works with a wide variety of media such as glass, bone, soapstone and granite. From a traditional background, Jerry is strongly influenced by his mentors, family, and environment. His formal education and work experience as an executive officer have also inspired him to produce nuanced pieces of depth and subtlety.
Sammy J. Kudluk
Kuujjuaq, Nunavik
Sammy was born in a winter tent fifty miles up the river from what is now Kangirsuk, Nunavik. He started carving and sketching at an early age, and after high school he enrolled in the pre-university Fine Arts Program at Dawson College in Montreal, Quebec. Since then, Sammy has explored a wide variety of media, from line drawing to carving to stained glass window design. Sammy’s art has taken him to international destinations such as Greenland, Spain, and Mexico. Dedicated to assisting regional artists, he sits on the board for the Inuit Art Foundation and is an instructor and coordinator for the Makivik Art Workshops.
Anna Etoangat
Pangnirtung, Nunavut
Anna has worked with her hands in arts and crafts as long as she can remember. Born in 1947 in Qimmisuuq camp on Cumberland Sound, she moved into Pangnirtung with her family at age nineteen. Anna designs and constructs parkas of all kinds and she enjoys teaching, especially young people. Anna joined the Tapestry Studio in 1985 and has many tapestry interpretations credited to her name including the 2004 “A Test of Strength” based on a drawing by Elisapee Ishulutaq, recently purchased by the Indian and Inuit Art Centre of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Her sealskin jackets were included in the cultural showcase of the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse. In speaking of her enjoyment of tapestry weaving, she says that she enjoys how creating tapestry allows her to communicate her culture, taking inspiration for the construction of garments from the imagery in traditional pieces. Weaving is for Anna an activity which eases her mind and makes her happy.
Billy Gauthier
Labrador
Billy is a Métis native born and raised in Labrador. Billy’s first interest in carving came to him early. After spending a few hours watching his cousin John Terriak carve, he went home to produce his first piece of work: a woman’s head, referred to as a “hood”, which he gave to his mother as a Mother’s Day gift. He found great enjoyment in working with his hands and discovered that he had a natural talent for the art form. “Drum Dancer” by Billy is on permanent loan and is displayed at the new federal government building in Iqaluit. Billy takes great pride in his Labrador heritage and his culture’s respect of tradition, wildlife, and the land. All of this is reflected in Billy’s work. His work is made of traditional carving materials such as soapstone, serpentine, antler, bone, labradorite (shipped to him from Labrador) and alabaster from Hillsborough. Billy has been interviewed by CBC’s Here and Now. Billy is regarded as one of the best new artists coming out of Labrador.
Vicky Grey
Kuujjuaq, Nunavik
Victoria Grey is a print-maker, painter, and fibre artist based in Kuujjuaq. She has taken numerous art-related workshops, including print-making at Nunavut Arctic College and the Banff Centre for the Arts. Victoria has travelled to Norway and Saudi Arabia to show her art. Her work has been showcased across Nunavik and North America, including: Walter Phillips Gallery in Banff, Alberta; the Tri-National Art Exchange Program in Mexico City, Mexico; and Toronto’s national exhibition Spirits of the North.
Putulik Illisituk
Salluit, Nunavik
Putulik Illisituk is a visual artist focused on painting, print-making and drawing. He became interested in art in the mid 1990s, and has been encouraged by the warm reception to his work. Putulik has won numerous contests for public art, including his design of a large stained glass window which is now displayed at the local school in Salluit. Putulik attended Makivik Artist Workshops many times as a print-maker.
Elisapee Inukpuk
Inukjuaq, Nunavik
Elisapee Inukpuk learned doll-making from her mother. Her exquisite dolls are made of caribou skin, leather for the kamiks and mitts, and soapstone for the head. Making numerous excursions to Ottawa to present her work, she is often found at Inuit Art Foundation events such as Qaggiq (1989) or Arts Alive (2004). Elisapee also teaches her skills as a doll-maker and basket-weaver at events such as the Makivik Artist Workshop in Kuujjuaq. As her age currently prevents her from accepting teaching offers, her exquisite work continues to command attention and respect.
Jimmy Iqaluk
Sanikiluaq, Nunavut
Jimmy Iqaluk was born in Kataapik, near Sanikiluaq, on the Belcher Islands, in 1947. He has been carving since he was 13 years old. He learned carving by watching his parents, Mina and Samwillie. His work is characterized by intricate details developed through both carving and incising techniques. His experience and knowledge as a hunter is reflected in his carvings. In 1995, Jimmy’s work was shown in the Keeping Our Stories Alive exhibition in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2006, Jimmy won the second prize at the Nunavut Arts Festival. His work is sought after by many collectors. Currently, he enjoys providing country food for his family and friends.
Terry Itulu
Kimmirut, Nunavut
Terry was born in 1966 in the community of Kimmirut. Terry’s dad, Davidee Itulu, is a scrimshaw artist originally from Kingait (Cape Dorset). Terry started carving in 2000, and likes to work in Markham Bay serpentine. “It’s fun. Money-wise, something to do in a small community. It’s challenging. I like to carve all sorts of things. I like to try to do everything different.”
In 1999 Terry graduated with a Diploma in Jewellery and Metalwork from Nunavut Arctic College. Terry’s jewellery work was shown at the Canadian Guild of Craft Gallery in Montreal. He also took a shorter course in printmaking and another jewellery course using local Kimmirut stones in 2003-4.
In 2003, Terry attended the Nunavut Trade Show as a Committee member representing the Quliruakut Arts & Crafts Society of Kimmirut. The Society is committed to supporting the artists of Kimmirut and has renovated the historic Soper House in an effort to create a home for the arts in Kimmirut.
In July 2003, Terry was also an invited artist at the Great Northern Arts Festival in Inuvik.
Kawtysee Kakee
Pangnirtung, Nunavut
Kawtysie Kakee has been with the Pangnirtung Tapestry Studio since 1975 and currently serves as Head Weaver. She is one of the most accomplished weavers and is widely regarded as an authority on tapestry design. In 1993, she designed the very successful tapestry Qaqqait (“Mountains”), based on her own drawing. In 2004, she selected one of Elisapee Ishulutaq’s drawings as inspiration for Winter Games, recently purchased by the Indian and Inuit Art Centre of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Born in Tupajuaq outpost camp in 1955, Kawtysee lost her hearing as an infant. In attending school in Pangnirtung, she learned to read and write in English. In addition to a community “signing” language developed for her, she and her two children have recently learned American Sign Language, which has helped open up her world. She is currently working on more drawings for her 2008 collection.
John Kurok
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
John Kurok was born in Churchill, Manitoba in 1977. Also known as Ulurksit, John moved to Rankin Inlet with his family when he was very young and has resided there ever since. As a child, he was exposed to traditional arts. His grandfather, John Kurok Sr., would often ask John to draw with him. He would also watch his father, Mathew Kurok, carve. Although he was interested in sculpture, it was not until he learned ceramics from Jim Shirley at Matchbox Gallery in Rankin Inlet in 1995 that he found his calling. Now John works full time at the Gallery teaching other students ceramics. In 2003, John expanded his artistic interest and took a printmaking course in stencilling at the Matchbox Gallery.
Manuel Lethbridge
Labrador
Manuel is a Métis carver born in 1974 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. Manual first started carving at the age of 24 after being inspired and intrigued by the work of other carvers, and their ability to turn seemingly ordinary rock into art. He takes personal satisfaction in the fact he can now take a piece of stone and turn it into a piece of art: “I take great pride in my work, I am proud to know that people all over the world have pieces of my work.”
Paul Quviq Malliki
Repulse Bay, Nunavut
Paul was born in 1956 in an outpost camp near the community of Igloolik. Paul did his first carving at five years of age. Self taught, he learned by watching other people. Paul carves many different kinds of animals and faces, but has the most fun with caribou. His work can be found in many private and public collections, and is in demand at galleries across North America, including Feheley Fine Arts Gallery in Toronto and the Judy Burch Gallery in Virginia and Nova Scotia. He has had many prestigious commissions, including presentation gifts to Prime Ministers Brian Mulroney and Jean Chrétien, and former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. When he is not carving, Paul enjoys working with his dog team, hunting, and building.
Qavavau Manumie
Cape Dorset, Nunavut
Qavavau was born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1958 where his mother, Paunichea, was hospitalized for tuberculosis. He returned to Cape Dorset as a very young child and has lived there since. For several years, Qavavau has been involved in the co-operative’s graphic arts program as a printmaker – first in the lithography studio and more recently in the stone cut studio. He is an accomplished and precise printmaker who enjoys the opportunity to demonstrate printmaking techniques to young artists and visitors to the studio (www.dorsetfinearts). In 2006, he gave a printmaking “lesson” to the Governor General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean, and her husband Jean-Daniel Lafond. Qavavau’s work has been exhibited from 1988 in Canada and internationally. Qavavau’s work is collected by many, including the Canadian Museum of Civilization, McMichael Canadian Art Museum, and Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.
Shirley Moorhouse
Labrador
Shirley is an Aboriginal girl of 1950s frontier Canada who grew up in Labrador. She learned early that survival depended on a man’s ability as a hunter and a woman’s expertise with cleaning and curing the skins, her mastery of sinew and the needle and her expertise in the adaptation and innovation of the materials she had at hand. As a visual and tactile person, Shirley likes to explore with different materials, and the feelings they evoke, to help embody her beliefs, inspirations and ideas. She is inspired by her family, the materials, nature, her beliefs and imagination. Shirley explores different techniques to depict contemporary interpretations of Inuit legends, beliefs and spirituality. Her ideas come from many sources. She reflects on being an Inuk woman, her culture and how Inuit and women fit into the overall scheme of things. She wants to show the pride, the fierceness, the beauty and versatility of all women and how they contribute, in their own little ways, to the richness, the textures and currents of life.
