“Welcome to the World” a collection of drawings by emerging artists from Cape Dorset
to
Inuit Gallery of Vancouver 120 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7M 0G7
Johnny Pootoogook, "Untitled (Flock of Seagulls)," 2105-16
graphite, coloured pencil, pentel pen, 15” x 23”
For many years the drawing program at Kinngait Studios in Cape Dorset provided the source imagery for the renowned Cape Dorset annual print collection. In 1992, the overwhelming interest in Inuit prints and a burgeoning interest in drawing as a stand-alone media led to Kinngait Studios releasing many drawings for sale. Today, drawings by well-known artists such as Kenojuak Ashevak, Kananginak Pootoogook and other early artists are much sought-after, while current generation artists such as Tim Pitsiulak, Shuvanai Ashoona and Ningiukulu Teevee create highly collected finished drawings.
Arising from this current, the Inuit Gallery is pleased to present “Welcome to the World,” a collection of drawings by emerging artists from Cape Dorset. These artists have benefited from the remarkable production up to now, and have taken inspiration from their elders, surroundings, and the everyday realities of life in the Arctic. Among the work available, we have new drawings by Qiatsuq Ragee (b. 1966) who until recently worked exclusively as a carver. Qiatsuq's work is strongly graphic and a bit quirky, somewhat reminiscent of Kanangank Pootoogook's animal drawings, as can be seen in his Falcon and Owl Playing Tag. Likewise, Olooreak Etungat (b. 1971) makes drawings, such as King of the Arctic, that channel some of the whimsy found in the work of established artists like Ningiukulu Teevee. Ooloosie Saila (b. 1991) creates colourful images of the Arctic landscape and its animals, as seen in her Hill on the Horizon or Owl Embracing Owl, while master printer and print artist, Cee Pootoogook (b. 1967) has made charming works such as his Untitled (Bears in the Ocean).
We invite you to enjoy the work of these emerging artists and join us in anticipating more fantastic works from them in the future!