What's New

New and upcoming exhibitions, collections and portfolios of art from Arctic Canada and the Pacific
Northwest Coast of Canada and the United States.

PANGNIRTUNG
TAPESTRIES

40th Year Anniversary

February 23 - March 16, 2010

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- HERE -
to view the Collection.

As these tapestries are limited editions, all works are available immediately.

It was forty years ago this month that five timid but intrigued young Inuit women agreed to learn the skills of weaving from the newly arrived and eager Arts and Crafts officer Don Stuart. For forty years they have been practicing their tapestry weaving skills, first in the old Weave Shop building and since 1990 in the Tapestry Studio of the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts. This exhibition of Limited Edition Pangnirtung tapestries is a celebration of both the history and the growth of the ‘little studio that could’. So many women have at one time or another been trained weavers that Pangnirtung is literally a village of weavers including three generations. Their tapestries known for superb craftsmanship, delightful imagery and dedication to the portrayal of Pangnirtung art through tapestry, have been exhibited regularly in galleries across North America since 1978. This exhibition is a selection of nine tapestries spanning more than a decade and inclusive of the varying styles and diverse image choices of the artists. The original images on paper are by well known artists Malaya Akulukjuk (deceased), Elisapee Ishulutaq, Andrew Qappik, Joel Maniapik, Annie Kilabuk Jr (deceased), Sowdlu Nakashuk and artist/weaver Kawtysie Kakee. The weavers are Anna Etuangat, Igah Etuangat, Kawtysie Kakee and Kathy Battyie.

The Pangnirtung Tapestry Studio has grown and become part of an international group of tapestry studios specializing in large unique tapestries designed and woven to commission. One such tapestry, ‘Achieving a Dream’ was commissioned by the VANOC committee and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. It now hangs in the Richmond Oval. The Studio began accepting commission work in 1990 and has gained a reputation for their large scale collaborative works. Whether weaving Limited Edition tapestries or large commissions each piece is a collaborative work of art between the visual artist(s) and the tapestry artist(s).

Forty years is a long time in contemporary Arctic life; enough time for the ‘little studio that could’ to develop and grow, to blossom and flourish.

- Deborah Hickman

NEW TRADITIONS:
YUKON FIRST NATIONS ARTS

February 18 - March 14, 2010

***Opening Reception featuring Ross River Drummers in the Gallery,
Artists in attendance February 18 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm***

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- HERE -
to view the Collection.

New Traditions: Yukon First Nations resonates with history and proud tradition. The eleven artists included in the exhibition, hosted by the Inuit Gallery, Vancouver, BC, represent all regions of the Yukon. Their love and respect for material, process, colour, storytelling and image making comes together in a display that honours imagination, technical proficiency and the creative power that exists within the eight First Nations language groups that live throughout the territory.

In spite of the inevitability of other cultural influences, the artists’ work ensures the continuance of their visual culture and traditions within a contemporary context. The expertise they demonstrate through beadwork, carving, tufting, weaving or painting is intertwined with a deep understanding of the natural and spiritual realms that are an intrinsic part of First Nations life in the Yukon.

The work of Eugene Alfred, Ken Ingemund Anderson, Vernon Asp, Dennis Shorty and Keith Smarch represents the wealth of traditional and contemporary carving that has become synonymous with Yukon First Nations. Alongside their carved paddles, totems, rattles, and bowls are examples of the exquisite beadwork, moose hair tufting, button blankets and Raven’s Tail weaving created by Shirlee Frost, Nancy Hager, Bev Morris and Ann Smith. The bountiful, quiet and resplendent beauty found in the many artworks that make up New Traditions is further enlivened by the images of ceremony and daily life as depicted by painter Jean Taylor. Taylor’s paintings are, in a sense, a visual chronicle of the history and tradition that underlies the artwork of her peers.

The integral stories of Yukon First Nations culture fit as comfortably within the artworks on display at the Inuit Gallery as they do in day-to-day life in Canada’s vast northern Yukon landscape. The artists’ precise renditions of mythologies, ceremonies, regalia, and many facets of their daily lives are inspired by and linked to their relationship with the land and all it holds for them. Their artwork is intrinsically married to stories that speak of the past, the present and a future filled with hope and promise. In a time when global influences can be cause for the blurring of cultural edges, the artists’ regard for history rich with tradition ensures that their own culture will not be eroded.

New Traditions: Yukon First Nations will be on view at the Inuit Gallery from February 18th to March 11th, 2010.

- Helen Sebelius

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to view the Collection.

TOONOO SHARKY
SCULPTURES
Pieces Available Immediately

February 11 - February 28, 2009

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- HERE -
to view the Collection.

Toonoo Sharky
Cape Dorset

The Inuit Gallery of Vancouver is delighted to play host to the renowned Cape Dorset artist Toonoo Sharky during his short stay in conjunction with the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Born in 1971, Toonoo’s artistic talents were evident at an early age, garnering a great deal of attention while still in his teens. Over the years he has created an impressive body of work using the luscious Baffin Island serpentine as well as the marble found locally. His subject matter is transformational in nature, with an emphasis on spirit figures. These multidimensional creations depict animal-bird-fish combinations in a myriad of sizes. The Inuit Gallery is pleased to have available a select grouping of his recent carvings available immediately. If you are in our area we invite you to view them and have an opportunity to meet with the artist in person. Toonoo will be in the gallery Thursday, Feb. 11, 12 and 13 between 1 and 3 pm each day.

If you are not able to attend in person, we would be pleased to share additional images of any of these works, please contact the gallery at your convenience.

JENNIFER WALDEN
ORIGINAL PAINTINGS

December 5, 2009

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to view the Collection.

"I am an artist who is inspired by my immediate environment. The north is a
place of endless beauty with a raw and wild side to it. I try to capture
that in my art by using vivid colours and dynamic texture. What drives me is
trying to capture a mood or a feeling in paint. The subjects of the
paintings become a vehicle to express an emotion. Living in the north gives
me an endless pool of inspiration to draw from. The landscape is harsh, raw
and stunning. It lends itself perfectly to the raw emotion I try to infuse
in my work."

- Jennifer Walden

Jennifer Walden
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Jennifer Walden began focusing on a career as an artist while attending high school in Tamil Nadu in southern India. She studied Art at McMaster University in Hamilton, then earned a degree in Theatre and Set Design from the University of Ottawa. Jennifer’s distinctive style explores Northern life through people, wildlife and topography. Her contemporary expressionistic paintings are rich in texture and vibrant colour. String and rope are blended with acrylic media to create the deep and dynamic three dimensional relief that is her signature.

Recently Walden’s art has had territorial recognition. While attending the 2008 Great Northern Arts Festival she was awarded the title of “Most Promising Emerging Artist in 2 Dimensional Media”. In March 2009, she was recognized by Northwest Tel as the winner of the 2009 Phone Directory Cover Art Contest for the NWT. The 2009 / 2010 NWT phone book has Walden’s painting “Herd Migration” on the cover.

Jennifer lives and works in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

RECENT ACQUISITION
HOKW HOKW
SIMON DICK

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- HERE -
to view the NWC Sculptures Collection.

LET'S PLAY!
ISACI ETIDLOIE

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to view the Collection.

Born in 1972, Isaci Etidloie began carving at the age of 7. With skills passed on to him from his artistic family and with a single minded determination, Isaci found his own voice, creating a myriad of sculptures that defy what many would consider to be “Inuit” art.

In this collection we see him approaching sports, including traditional Inuit sports such as the High Kick game, which would have played an integral part in making the young fit to survive in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments. But perhaps more surprisingly, he has also focused on “Western” sports such as skiing, swimming, gymnastics and golf. We see people playing basketball, baseball and of course, hockey. Each sculpture is rendered in exquisite, fine detail, carved mainly in serpentine stone sometimes with the addition of caribou antler.

Though of an age where his life experience has been vastly different than that of his ancestors, Isaci has heard the old ways described by his parents and grandparents.
Consequently, we have a delicate sculpture of Sedna, the mother of all the creatures in the sea, a Shaman Drum Dancer, a woman stretching a seal skin and other works illustrating a more traditional Inuit life.

Celebrating 50!

Dorset Fine Arts is pleased to offer a commemorative poster to celebrate their 50th Anniversary Print Collection.

Featuring Mayoreak Ashoona’s last great loon, Tuulirjuak, the poster is printed by a Green Certified printer on acid-free “Mohawk” cover stock, manufactured with “Green-e” certified electricity by renewable wind power.

The poster measures 23” x 39” and retails for $39.95. Quantities are limited.

This is an excellent way to share in the celebration!

Please click
- HERE -
to view the Collection.

QAJAQ
KAYAKS FROM THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

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to view our Collection.

QAJAQ (KAYAK)

The Inuit Gallery presents qajaqs by Maligiaq Padilla. Constructed in cedar and fir and lashed together with synthetic sinew, they are sleek, elegant works of art. The gallery is displaying a full size racing qajaq (approx. 20 ft.) hanging from the ceiling. It is constructed from beautiful red cedar with Alaskan yellow cedar ribs. The gallery also presents a limited number of model Qajaqs, each measuring approx. 6 ft. in length, valued at $2,000 CAD. Each one is signed by the artist and could also be ordered with a sturdy manmade skin that would render it seaworthy. The artist uses a ballistic nylon skin with a varathane finish. It’s lightweight, more flexible than fiberglass, and waterproof.

Sleek and elegant in appearance, these qajaqs are a desired piece of sculptural artwork in there own right.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Maligiaq Padilla, whose name in Greenlandic means "following waves growing up” prefectly compliments him. In 1994, at the age of 12, Maligiaq entered the Greenland National Qajaq Championships, winning all four events. The same year he built his first qajaq with his grandfather. Maligiaq is the only person in history to win four Greenland National Kayaking Championships, winning his first title at 16.

He has recently turned his many years of qajaqing and the building skills that he learned from his grandfather, towards art in the form of scale model qajaqs and also recreating a 400 year old qajaq from recently discovered remnants. He has recreated this artifact back into it’s original form in full sized dimensions for 2 museums in Greenland In 2005 he was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute Museum to build a Qajaq of his design during the Arctic Peoples Celebration in Washington DC, the Qajaq is part of the Smithsonian collection.

Many more accomplishments athletically and in Qajaq art are sure to come from Maligaq, but his recent creations of Qajaq history and art are available today at the Inuit Gallery.

PRIDE
Andy Everson
Comox / Kwakwaka'wakw
Giclee
Edition of 75
$190.00 CAD

I was born in Comox B.C. in 1972 and named Nagedzi after my grandfather. Chief Andy Frank. My cultural interests lay with both my K'omoks and Kwakwaka'wakw ancestries and are expressed through dancing, singing, and even the completion of a Master's degree in anthropology. I feel that my artwork stands on par with these other accomplishments. Although I began drawing Northwest Coast art at an early age, my first serious attempt wasn't until 1990 when I started designing and painting chilkat-style blankets for use in potlatch dancing. From these early self-taught lessons I have tried to follow in the footsteps of my Kwakiutl relatives in creating bold and unique representations that remain rooted in the age-old traditions of my ancestors.

We’ve all worked hard through the night. Many times, I’ve been obsessed with my artwork or compelled by time to finish a paper that I’ve had to pull an all-nighter. We’ve battled through the desire and then the need for sleep to write that last paragraph or polish up a design. Some have had to work night shifts or painted or trimmed their houses to prepare for their imminent move. Others have driven all night to reach their destination. For all of us, we have witnessed that most beautiful miracle of dawn breaking and a new day starting and pride in what you have accomplished.

This print is dedicated to those that deserve to take pride in the work they do. It is for those volunteers who selflessly put themselves forward and do the jobs that most people would expect to get paid for. It is for those individuals who stand lonely on the street corners for a cause. It is for those that mark off a course and register people for races great and small. It is for those that show compassion by visiting the sick and the dying that they may or may not know. It is for those students and scientists that toil endlessly knowing that there is a cure for cancer and they will find it. When that beautiful dawn breaks, the world will be a better place. I am confident that everyone who has contributed will look back and take pride in what they have accomplished.

We are determined to contribute in our small way to finding a cure for cancer. As such, partial proceeds from the sale of this print will be directly donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. “Pride” is available exclusively through the Inuit Gallery in Vancouver, BC.