2021 Kinngait (Cape Dorset) Graphics Collection
to
Canada House Gallery 201 Bear Street (PO Box 1570), Banff, Alberta T1L 1B5
2021 Kinngait (Cape Dorset) Graphics Collection
Including works by Kinngait (Cape Dorset) artists: Ningiukulu Teevee, Saimaiyu Akesuk, Ooloosie Saila, Malaija Pootoogook, Ohito Ashoona, Padloo Samayualie, Nuna Parr, Pee Ashevak, Olooreak Etungat and Pitaloosie Saila.
Ningiukulu Teevee
Born May 27, 1963, Ningiukulu is the daughter of Joanasie Salomonie (deceased) and his wife Kanajuk. Her father, Joanasie, was much loved in Cape Dorset for his sense of humour, mischief and compassion. Ningiukulu works full-time for the department of Housing in Cape Dorset, and devotes her spare time to her family and whatever time she can to her drawing, which she does at home. Her husband, Simeonie Teevee is a musician and plays with his band at community events in Cape Dorset and at music festivals around Nunavut.
Saimaiyu Akesuk
Saimaiyuk Akesuk was born on April 28, 1988 in Iqaluit but she has lived in Cape Dorset her whole life. Her parents are Lau Akesuk and Olayuk Akesuk, who was also one of the first Members of the Legislative Assembly in Nunavut.
Ooloosie Saila
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 diverse themes and ideas in her work.
Malaija Pootoogook
Born in 1971 in Iqaluit, Malaija has been surrounded by the many artists in her family. Her father Paulassie, was highly regarded as a sculptor and her brother, Mosesee, is a stone carver and another brother Itee Pootoogook (deceased) is well known for his contemporary drawings. Inspired by the work of her great-grandmother, the late Pitseolak Ashoona, Malaija completed her first drawing in 1994 and continues to function primarily as a graphic artist.
Ohito Ashoona
Born December 11, 1952 in resides in Cape Dorset, NU. Ohito Ashoona grew up in an outpost camp not far from Cape Dorset. Here he learned to carve by watching his father, the well known carver Qaqaq Ashoona, and his uncle Kiawak Ashoona, also a renowned artist. Ohito moved to Cape Dorset in 1981.
Padloo Samayualie
Padloo Samayualie comes from a family of well-known artists. Her grandparents on her mother’s side are renowned sculptors Qababuwa and Taraya Tunnillie and on her father’s side Keeleemeeoomie Samayualie was a grandmother and Elijakota Samayualie was an aunt.
Nuna Parr
Nuna Parr's parents, the late Parr and Eleeshushe, are renowned graphic artists from the older generation. His brother, Epirvik, is a carver. Nuna has been carving since the 1960's, preferring wildlife for his subjects. Nuna and his family have left Cape Dorset for a more traditional lifestyle, relying on hunting and carving for their livelihood.
Pee Ashevak
Pee Ashevak was born in Cape Dorset, Nunavut in 1965. She was adopted by Johnnybo and Kenojuak Ashevak and has two sisters and three brothers. Pee is a single mother of five daughters and three sons. She began drawing in 2016 after being inspired by her son Anarqu. She has a broad range of subject matter including wildlife, landscapes, and figures.
Olooreak Etungat
Olooreak Etungat is an adoptive daughter of Abraham Etungat, a well-known sculptor from Cape Dorset. Although she has taken a couple of jewelry courses, Olooreak is largely a self-taught artist who was inspired to take up drawing seeing the work of others in the community. Olooreak’s work blends the traditional and the contemporary, often in quite sensitive and unexpected ways.
Pitaloosie Saila
Pitaloosie was born in 1942 on the southwest coast of Baffin Island near what is now the community of Cape Dorset. She spent her childhood years in various hospitals in Quebec and Ontario for treatment of tuberculosis. She learned English during this time, and recalls the difficulty she experienced in relearning her native language upon her return to Baffin Island in 1957. She is now one of the few of her generation who speak both English and Inuktitut fluently. Pitaloosie passed away in late spring 2021.