Earthlings: Roger Aksadjuak, Shuvinai Ashoona, Pierre Aupilardjuk, Shary Boyle, Jessie Kenalogak, John Kurok, Leo Napayok

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Pierre Aupilardjuk and Shary Boyle, "Facing Forward," 2016

Organized by Shary Boyle at the invitation of Esker Foundation. Earthlings is an exhibition of visionary ceramic sculpture and works on paper, produced both individually and collaboratively, by seven contemporary artists. Otherworldly, surreal, magically figurative, and underpinned by complex narratives, the works in this exhibition are the products of a range of deeply personal practices that are informed by idiosyncratic realities and myths, real and imagined spaces, sensuality, and spirituality.

Ashoona (Cape Dorset), Boyle (Toronto), and the ceramic artists of Matchbox studio in Rankin Inlet share a handcrafted, intuitive approach to transformative imagery that is as sympathetic as it is culturally distinct. The exhibition will feature recent and landmark works by each artist as well as collaborative explorations, including sculptures produced in September 2016 by Pierre Aupilardjuk, Shary Boyle, and John Kurok while in residence at the extraordinary Medalta in Medicine Hat.

The artists would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts; Department of Economic Development and Transportation, Government of Nunavut; Dorset Fine Arts; Feheley Fine Arts; Inuit Art Foundation; Matchbox Gallery; Medalta; Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association; Nunavut Development Corporation; Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain; Jim and Sue Shirley; Marnie and Karen Schreiber; and all of the collectors who, through their loans, have made this exhibition possible.

Roger Aksadjuak’s work is complex, inventive, and embraces multiple forms and playful imagery while respecting traditional narratives. It can be found in many public and private collections across North America, including the Winnipeg Art Gallery. He passed away in 2014.

Shuvinai Ashoona is a contemporary Cape Dorset artist whose work often combines reality and the imaginative. Ashoona’s work is in numerous collections of major art institutions, including the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto; Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau; National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; and Winnipeg Art Gallery, among others.

Pierre Aupilardjuk’s style of work represents his strong roots in a traditional aesthetic and are included in the ceramics collection of the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Center, Yellowknife; the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; as well as in private collections throughout North America. He lives and works in Rankin Inlet.

Shary Boyle works across diverse media, including sculpture, drawing, and performance. In 2015 she performed at Luminato Festival, Toronto, and the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; created a commissioned sculpture for the Musée des beaux-arts de Montreal; and presented Universal Cobra with artist Shuvinai Ashoona at Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain, Montreal. She represented Canada at the Venice Biennale in 2013. Shary Boyle lives in Toronto.

Jessie Kenalogak was born in Back River in the early 1950s and currently lives and works in Qamani'tuaq (Baker Lake). Working primarily in drawing, her most meaningful artistic influences came from her grandfather Angushadluk, one of the most important and respected artists ever to work in Baker Lake, and her aunt, Mary Singaqti, another highly respected Baker Lake artist.

John Kurok began working full-time as a Rankin Inlet ceramist in 1996 and is one of a new group of younger ceramicists who also work as printmakers. Kurok's work is included in the permanent collections of the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, and the Museum of Inuit Art, Toronto.

Born in the early sixties, Leo Napayok spent most of his time growing up in the towns of Salliq (Coral Harbour) and Kangiqliniq (Rankin Inlet). He works as a carver in soapstone, ivory, and antler and has long been established as one of the region’s most talented carvers. His collaborative works have since become a part of the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. 

You are invited to the opening of Earthlings Opening reception: Friday, January 20, 6-10pm