Pitseolak Qimirpik

Born in Iqaluit, Pitseolak (Pits) Qimirpik is the son of Ningeogapik Qimirpik and the celebrated sculptor Kellypalik Qimirpik (1948-2017). During the spring and summer months, Pitseolak lived on the land near Kinngait (Cape Dorset) with his family, camping and hunting with his father Kellypalik and grandfather Qimirpik. Throughout his carving career, Pitseolak has cited his father Kellypalik as being his biggest inspiration. In 1997, while visiting his father who was carving at a gallery in Montreal, Pitseolak created his first sculpture at the age of eleven. As a young sculptor, Pitseolak would often receive constructive criticism from his father about his work, which he would use to hone his skill and help expand his carving repertoire. Kellypalik was well-known for his realistic carvings of Inuit men in the midst of sculpting, as well as his dancing muskox, and it is these works that Pitseolak admired and was influenced by the most.

In past years, Pitseolak has mined his own stone from a serpentine quarry near Kinngait with fellow artists Nuna Parr and Kovianaqtuliak Tapauangai. Today, Pitseolak carves mainly on his own, occasionally welcoming the aid of younger community members to help him finish certain pieces. Pitseolak’s distinct, innovative sculptures often feature contemporary aspects of modern day life in the Arctic. Drawing inspiration from his father’s lifelike figures, Pitseolak has created a number of carvings depicting individuals with modern electronics, such as his Teen with MP3 Player sculpture from 2010, purchased for the prestigious TD Bank Collection. Along with his sculptures of Inuit figures, Pitseolak also combines pop-culture references with traditional animal carvings, often times depicting dancing rabbits, which he calls Hip-hop Hares. Pitseolak is dedicated to the art of carving and strives to push the boundaries of traditional Inuit sculpture.