Arnaqu Ashevak

(1959 – 2009)

The adopted son of celebrated artist Kenojuak Ashevak and Johnniebo Ashevak, Arnaquq was a talented carver and printmaker. He began carving in the early eighties, producing fanciful, mixed-media constructions using often unconventional materials. In 1990, Arnaqu began working as an assistant printmaker for the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative and in 1991, he took up a five-week residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts where he experimented with ceramics. These experiences inspired him to produce drawings and experiment with the graphic arts and two-dimension design. In 1994, Arnaqu made his debut as a graphic artist when two of his images were included in the annual graphics collection. His designs have since been featured in several annual collections over the years and he has operated as a printmaker for many of the local artists. Arnaqu unfortunately passed away from cancer complications in 2009.