Welcome to the Northern Lights Trade Show 2008
Moses Naluiyuk
Salluit, Nunavik
Originally from Ivujivik, Moses Naluiyuk started carving at the age of 16 in hopes of earning a living through his art and has been a carver for most of his life. Moses came from an artistic family and learned to carve from his father-in-law. His favourite subject matter is the polar bear. The soapstone bear has become something of a trademark for Moses. He has travelled widely for art events and has attended Makivik Artist Workshops in Kangiqssujuaq, Umiujaq, Kuujjuaq and Ivujivik.
Mathew Nuqingaq
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Mathew is primarily a jeweller but performance is important in his life and he has become in effect an “ambassador at large” for Nunavummiut. He has been invited to venues in Canada, the US, and internationally, to perform at various exhibition openings of Inuit art in Spain, Japan, Finland, and Denmark. Matt received his Jewellery and Metalwork Diploma in 1999. With the creation of Nunavut in 1999, Mathew collaborated with Paul Malliki, Simata Pitsiulak, Inuk Charlie, Joseph Suqlaq and Mariano Aupilardjuq to create the Nunavut mace. Just recently, he and a friend renovated an old house that Matt purchased to turn into the Aayuraa Jewellery Studio. It is one of the few independent artist studios in Iqaluit. Already it has become a popular place for local jewellers to congregate. Mathew works part time for NACA and is also on the advisory committee for Canada Council and Secretary/Treasurer for the Inuit Art Foundation.
Jack Nuviyak
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
Jack Nuviyak (Uitatasia) was born in Winnipeg in 1977, but was raised in Rankin Inlet. It was not until 1997 that Jack signed up for an art course in high school at the request of the principal and began practicing in earnest. He did some drawing when he was young, but when courses were offered at Matchbox Gallery in Rankin Inlet, Jack registered for ceramics and printmaking. Jack enjoys featuring people and animals in his work, especially polar bears, shamans and transformational images. In his spare time, Jack does drawings for his stencil work, and hunts and fishes on the land. He sells his work to the Matchbox Gallery and in and around the community of Rankin Inlet.
Mary Ann Penashue
Sheshatshiu, Labrador
Mary Ann Penashue is an Innu painter who resides in Sheshatshiu, Labrador. She started painting in 1995 when she was in her 30s. Mary Ann primarily works in oil on canvas, with the subjects of her art being the people of her community. Many of her paintings feature Innu Elders and children because they bring her peace of mind and a sense of pride. Her paintings are also about what the Innu people do on the land, where her people are able to live in a healthy way, both physically and mentally, with no worries; just feeling free, and with lots of energy to work. Mary Ann and her husband Peter have four children and two grandchildren.
George Pilurtuut
Kangiqsujuaq, Nunavik
George Pilurtuut began carving at the age of 7 while watching his father. Since he started quarrying his own soapstone in the region of Kangiqsujuaq, George has been known for his use of various types of stone. He has also become skilled at using power tools for harder stones, such as serpentine. While he is fond of carving polar bears, George’s favourite subject matter is a man in kayak, for which he uses local ivory, bone and other materials. George has participated in Makivik Artist Workshops as a trainee (Kangiqsujuaq, Umiujaq, and Kuujjuaq). He travelled this year to Ivujiivik as a carving instructor.
Derrick Pottle
Nunatsiavut
Derrick is an Inuk born and raised in Nunatsiavut. Married with two children and living in Rigolet, northern Labrador, Derrick has received less than a week of formal carving training. Expanding on his experience of building his own childhood toys and entertainment, Derrick began carving as a hobby over 20 years ago. Preferring to work with bone and stone in hands-on, manoeuvrable sizes, Derrick’s largest carving measured three feet by three feet. An avid hunter, Derrick seeks inspiration from his surrounding environment and the wildlife of Labrador. Derrick has contributed to the Inuit art community through his involvement with the Inuit Art Foundation as a board member for two years, as well as working with the Labrador School Board to provide carving workshops to junior high and high school students. Entering the commercial market over 15 years ago, Derrick has transformed a hobby into a successful career.
Andrew Qappik
Pangnirtung, Nunavut
Andrew was born in an outpost camp northwest of Pangnirtung in 1964, where he lived with his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. In the first year of his life his family was relocated to the community of Pangnirtung. At 14, Andrew won second place at the Pangnirtung Print Shop’s annual competition. At 17, he learned how to do stone cuts, and the Print Shop invited him to join as a printmaker. He accepted immediately, and has been participating ever since. Andrew has had numerous commissions, including the logo for NTI, Nunavut Parks, and for the Governor General’s Achievement Award (the Northern component). He has been invited to many festivals in Nunavut, the NWT and Greenland, and he has been a featured artist at many galleries across Canada and the US. Andrew also designed the Nunavut coat of arms, the Government of Nunavut logo, and the Nunavut flag. He is a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, and in 2003 Andrew received the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal.
Lydia Ardjuak Qayaq
Clyde River, Nunavut
Lydia Ardjuak Qayaq was born in 1954 near Clyde River to a renowned carving family. A skilled carver, Lydia holds a diploma from the Jewellery and Metalwork Program at Nunavut Arctic College. In addition to working with stone, marble, silver, and copper, Lydia also makes stencil prints. Walking polar bears and Sedna from Inuit mythology are her favourite subjects. She does not try to make her polar bears realistic looking, but has developed her own style for which she has received many commissions. Her only income is from what she earns carving and she is pleased she can earn her living from her craft. Lydia is one of four women who carve in Clyde River.
Palaya Qiatsuq
Cape Dorset, Nunavut
Palaya Qiatsuq was born in Cape Dorset in 1965. Palaya comes from an artistic background. Both his father Lukta Qiatsuq and his brother Qiatsuq Qiatsuq, carve as well. He credits his grandfather Kiakshuk with the inspiration for his shamanistic work. “My work has been exhibited extensively both in Canada and internationally since 1986. Through my work I attempt to keep alive the stories of my past. Hence shamanism transformations are frequently featured. I am one of the few Inuit artists today who is attempting to teach the youth about their past. While many artists are now drawing from today’s culture for inspiration for their work, I strongly believe that in order for our culture to survive, we must teach the youth about our past. So I view myself as a traditionalist with a mission. While through my work I attempt to carry on our traditions, I am above all an artist.” Palaya has exhibited extensively both in Canada and the US as well as on the international scene.
Gerald Saunders
Labrador
Gerald was born in 1966 in Happy Valley, Labrador. His background is Inuit, Métis, and European. He began working with stone at a mining quarry owned and operated by the Labrador Inuit Torngait Ujaganniavingit Corp. (near Nain in 10 Mile Bay) where he now works as an industrial mechanic. He originally started making inuksuks as a little piece of Labrador to give to his family, who live across the country. “Personally, I think it is a beautiful stone and enjoy it thoroughly and hope that you will as well.”
Mathew Shimout
Repulse Bay, Nunavut
Mathew was born in 1967 in Coral Harbour, Nunavut. Here he lived a very traditional life with his family – hunting whales, walrus, caribou, polar bear, and fishing. Mathew learned carving from his late father. In 1989, Mathew moved to Naujaat (Repulse Bay) to help his sister. He still lives there, now with his wife and their four children. Mathew works in ivory, antler, soapstone, and muskox horn. Making mostly totems, his work incorporates faces, animals, and common hunting tools. In 2004, Mathew was an invited artist at the Nunavut Arts Festival in Rankin Inlet for the second time, after receiving second place award in ivory carving the previous year.
Belinda Shiwak
Nunatsiavut
Belinda Shiwak was born in 1952, nearly 25 miles outside of Rigolet in Rocky Cove, Newfoundland where she grew up in an isolated and remote settlement of four families. At the age of fifteen, Belinda became interested in making traditional crafts as she watched her parents and grandparents sew salt water grass into baskets, plates, and bowls. At the age of 7, Belinda was taught to sew grass. As an artist, Belinda continues to expand her abilities. She learned to make black sealskin boots from her grandmother and a local community elder, has worked with other aboriginal groups to acquire the skill of moose hide sewing, and also knits regularly. Belinda is best known for her traditional yet unique designs. She is inspired by her family.
John Terriak
Nunatsiavut
An icon of Inuit artistry, John has been carving, drawing and painting for over 40 years. Although he began his carving career using wood, John now works primarily in stone, bone, ivory and antler. He also sews his own skin clothing. John has traveled throughout Canada and the United States hosting shows, demonstrations, and studying at various art studios. He has traveled as far away as Italy, where he created a life-sized Italian marble sculpture of Sedna, the Inuit sea goddess. John works full-time as a carver and his work is exhibited in galleries across Canada, the US, and Europe. He also displays and sells his artwork using multi-media outlets, such as online galleries. John has been involved with the Inuit Art Foundation, and has worked to create craft and carving organizations in his community in Nain. John enjoys traveling the coast to demonstrate and teach his artwork to both school age children and adults.
Mary Kulula Thomassie
Kangirsuk, Nunavik
Mary was born on an island not far from what is now Quartaq, Nunavik. Her mother was an expert seamstress who provided clothing for the entire family which could stand up to the harsh environment. While Mary’s mother did not have time to teach her how to sew and prepare material, Mary learned these skills by watching her mother work. At the age of 7, she sewed her first pair of kamiks which were sold to a ship crew, and she was encouraged to continue to improve her skills. Presently, Mary is respected as one of the best traditional Inuit clothing makers and is regularly commissioned to create kamiks, parkas, womens’ amautiks, snow pants, mitts, hats, and other vital Inuit clothing. She uses traditional materials such as sealskin, caribou skin, a variety of furs and other modern fabrics.
Simon Tookoome
Baker Lake, Nunavut
Simon Tookoome is a renowned artist of prints, drawings, and sculpture from Baker Lake, Nunavut. Born in 1934 in an outpost camp near Repulse Bay, Tookoome lived the nomadic life until 1968 when he moved into Baker Lake. He is a unilingual artist who was determined to learn on his own and not to go to school for formal training. Watching others, such as the famous Baker Lake artist Jessie Oonark, Tookoome learned his craft. An accomplished artist in drawing and carving, Tookoome is also a founding member of the original Baker Lake Print Shop. In 1980, Tookoome’s print The World of Man and the World of Animals Come Together in the Shaman was reproduced on a 35 cent stamp. Simon Tookoome’s work has been in extensive solo and group exhibitions, and in collections around the world. Simon has received numerous honours and achievements, and is often requested to showcase his amazing whip skills – traditionally used in the hunt.
Willie Watt
Kujjuaq, Nunavik
Willie Watt born in Old Chimo about 2 miles downstream from what is now Kuujjuaq, Nunavik. He started carving soapstone while he was living in Vancouver and was successful in selling his carvings to local art shops. In 1992, Willie became more serious about exploring his talent as a carver, and he began using other material such as bone and ivory. Soon he came up with his trademark – the ivory polar bear head, for which he has gained popularity as a jeweller and carver.
Elisapee Weetaluktuk
Inukjuak, Nunavik
Elisapee Weetaluktuk born in 1946 and lives in Inukjuak. She specializes in basket weaving with local grass, complimented by carved soapstone handle. She is also renowned for her Inuit dolls, made of sealskin or caribou skin, exhibiting carved soapstone heads. Elisapee is also a skilled performer, and practices traditional Inuit storytelling.
Nellie Winters
Nunatsiavut
Nellie Winters is renowned in Makkovik for her unique and diverse craftwork. Nellie’s work is not limited to one medium, but rather extends from hand-crafted and embroidered clothing to jewellery, dolls, wall-hangings and lamps. She fashions her items with natural material, such as sealskin, rabbit fur, caribou bone and moose hide. Nellie was invited to demonstrate and show her work at the Montreal Olympics. When asked which type of craftwork she enjoys most, she said she had no preference and enjoyed trying new things. Nellie is a truly gifted and creative artist who is pushing the boundaries of craft.
