Shuvinai Ashoona: Mapping Worlds
to
Glenbow Museum 130 9 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta T2G 0P3
Shuvinai Ashoona, "Composition (Attack of the Tentacle Monsters)," 2015
coloured pencil and ink on paper (collection of Paul and Mary Dailey Desmarais III)
Shuvinai Ashoona: Mapping Worlds
Shuvinai Ashoona lives in Kinngait on the southern tip of Baffin Island, and her drawings imagine the past and present fused into a prophetic future, populated by human-animal hybrid creatures, women birthing worlds, and mystical or other-worldly landscapes clearly inspired by the terrain of her northern home.
Mapping Worlds features pencil crayon and ink drawings produced by Shuvinai Ashoona over the past two decades. Many of Ashoona’s early drawings depict scenes of Kinngait (formerly known as Cape Dorset), Nunavut, continuing an artistic tradition begun by the Ashoona family, including her grandmother Pitseolak Ashoona (1904-1983) and cousin Annie Pootoogook (1969-2016).
Living in Kinngait on the southern tip of Baffin Island, Shuvinai is part of Canada’s Inuit culture. She produces her work at Kinngait Studios, the art arm of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative. Incorporated in 1959, the Studio has the strongest and longest tradition of any community–run, art making co-operative in the Arctic. Due to the stability and longevity of the co-op’s management, four generations of Inuit artists have developed and sold their art around the world. Shuvinai is best known for her highly personal and imaginative iconography, with imagery ranging from closely observed naturalistic scenes of her Arctic home, to monstrous and fantastical visions.
Shuvinai’s work is unique among the artists working in Kinngait. Her drawings imagine the past and present fused into a prophetic future such as human-animal hybrid creatures, women birthing worlds, and mystical or other-worldly landscapes clearly inspired by the terrain of her northern home.
Free farewell visit during our last open weekends. Glenbow’s building will close to the public for a three-year major renovation project after August 29, 2021. These free admission days are supported by our friends at Servus Credit Union.
Please note, all visitors must reserve timed tickets before arrival, and all visitors (over age 2) are required to wear masks while in the museum.
Glenbow’s Free Admission dates:
Thursday August 19: 11am to 7pm
Friday August 20: 11am to 7pm
Saturday August 21: 10am to 5pm
Sunday August 22: 10am to 5pm
Thursday August 26: 11am to 7pm
Friday August 27: 11am to 7pm
Saturday August 28: 10am to 5pm
Sunday August 29: 10am to 5pm