1988-
Saimaiyu was born in Iqaluit. She moved to Cape Dorset as a child, where she has lived ever since. Her parents, Lau Akesuk and Olayuk Akesuka were one of the first Members of the Legislative Assembly in Nunavut.
Saimaiyu was inspired by the work of Ningeokuluk Teevee while they took a class together, and turned that into her own unique style.
In her works, Saimaiyu often draws bears, birds and other wildlife rendered with strong colours and patterns. Through simple stylised forms, Saimaiyu's work exudes energy and whimsy, and takes a bold approach to contemporary Inuit imagery.
1958 - 2019
Cape Dorset, Nunavut Territory
Kudluajuk Ashoona's biological parents were the well-known carvers, Kabubuwa and Tayara Tunnillie. She was adopted by the family of the notable graphic artist, Simeonie Quppapik. Kudluajuk did not seriously begin to make art until 2011. In a rare reversal of influence, she was inspired to draw by her daughter, Nicotye Samayualie. Kudluajuk’s works are very narrative and literal. Her drawings often depict scenes of contemporary family life. Family outings, domestic gatherings and leisure activities are some of her favourite subjects.
b. 1946
Mayoreak Ashoona is known for her highly imaginative and brightly coloured graphics and is recognized as a master carver. She has contributed to exhibitions in Canada, Germany and Japan.
She is the partner of noted artist Qaqaq Ashoona and was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy in 2003.
Shuvinai Ashoona was born in 1961 in Cape Dorset, NU. Her imaginative and evocative drawings take a personal look at complex realities of contemporary Inuit life , histories of traditional spirituality versus organized religion and the influence of North American culture on a population that has experienced a dramatic change of lifestyle and culture in a single generation.
Laina Geetah was born in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Laina’s biological parents are the late Tanya Curley, and artist Johnny Pootoogook. She is the granddaughter of the famous Kananginak Pootoogook. Since her mother died when she was very young, she was adopted by David Simiga and Saila Geetah.
Laina comes from a very artistic family on the Pootoogook side, yet she is a self-taught artist. In a short time she has developed a unique style that is all her own and not derived from any of the other artists in her family tree nor her community. She plays with simplified forms with bright colors as their background.
Qavavau Manumie
B. 1958
Cape Dorset
Qavavau Manumie is a well established artist based in Cape Dorset Nunavut. His work can be found in collections around the world including the National gallery of Canada, Museum of Civilization and The McMichael Collection of Canadian Art. His signature style of adding a sense of whimsy and humor to Inuit narratives has separated his work from many other Inuit artists. Qavavau is also a master print-maker.
B. 1967
Cape Dorset, Nunavut
Tim Pitsiulak comes from a family of artists including his aunt, Kenojuak Ashevak, who inspired him to become an artist. The primary influence for many of his realistic drawings is the land of Nunavut and its wildlife.
Annie Pootoogook was born in 1969 in Cape Dorset, Nunavut. She came from a long line of artists and began drawing in 1997. Annie’s drawings reflected her way of life as a contemporary female artist living and working in Canada’s far north. Ranging in expression from the apparently mundane and everyday to the personal and brutally intimate, Annie’s work is well known for her innovative and honest style. Her untimely passing in 2016 was a huge loss to the community of Cape Dorset and the new wave of contemporary Inuit art.
Cee Pootoogook
B: August 1, 1967
Cee Pootoogook is known for his depictions of day to day activities of community life as well as traditional subjects
and wildlife. Initially beginning a career in carving in the 1990s, Cee would later transition to stonecut printing before focusing his attention to drawing full time.
Cee is the eldest son of the late Napachie Pootoogook and Eegyvadluk Pootoogook, and older brother to the well known Cape Dorset contemporary artist, Annie Pootoogook.
Itee Pootoogook
1951 - 2014
Cape Dorset
A resident of Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Itee Pootoogook belongs to a new generation of Inuit artists who are transforming and reshaping the creative traditions that were successfully pioneered by their parents and grandparents in the second half of the 20th century.
1938-2002
Baffin Island, Nunavut Territory
Napachie Pootoogook was known both for her prints and, later in her career, for her original drawings. Napachie is known for documenting ancestral stories of camp life and legend. Since the 1960s her work has been a highlight of the Cape Dorset Print Collection. Her work was shaped by her experience as the last of a generation to live 'on the land' in a traditional way. Her mother, Pitseolak Ashoona, was a pioneer in the development of Inuit art in the 1950s. Her work influenced both her daughter, Annie Pootoogook, and her niece, Shuvinai Ashoona, to develop successful careers as artists.
b. 1962 -
Kinggait, Nunavut Territory
Quvianaqtuk Putlat’s career as an artist has shifted from carving to drawing over the last decade. His two dimensional work was first shown in the 2017 print collection where his print “Sparring Owls” was selected for the cover. Since that time, we have seen his individual style become more established and it now stands at the forefront of contemporary Inuit art. Quvianiaqtuk has an innate ability to take well established themes and elevate them through a contemporary lens. Images of caribou bring to mind Kananginak Pootoogook, while the epic scale and expressive character of the subjects are reminiscent of Tim Pitsiulak. However, Quvianaqtuk’s drawings are distinct and exceptional, showing his unique voice in the artistic community.
B. 1986
Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU
Pitseolak (Pits) Qimirpik is quickly establishing himself as a leading young artist in the Inuit art market. He is the son of well established carver Kellypalik Qimirpik.
B: 1991
Iqaluit, NU
Ooloosie Saila is an emerging artist working out of Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU. Saila draws landscapes with intricate details as well as prints that feature an energetic combination of colour and patterns. As a child, Ooloosie was inspired to draw through occasional visits to the home of Kenojuak Ashevak. At age 14 she won first prize at her high school drawing contest. She began selling her drawings to the Co-op in 2015 and continues to explore many divers themes and ideas in her work.
B: December 20, 1998
Kinngait, Nunavut
Susie Seeta Saila was born in Ottawa, Ontario on December 20, 1998. Her parents are Mary Saila and Toonoo Sharky. She has a twin sister, four brothers and another sister, Ooloosie Saila. Susie comes from an artistic family, her father Toonoo Sharky is a well known sculpture and late grandfather Mikisiti Saila was also a sculptor. Her grandmother Sita Saila is also a graphic artist. Susie started to draw in 2018 and was compelled to experiment to see how far would they go. Saila’s drawings of local wildlife and landscapes are full of pattern work and colour. One of Saila’s landscapes was featured on the front cover of Inuit Art Quarterly’s Winter 2021 issue.
b. 1983
Nicotye Samayulie is an emerging artist from Cape Dorset who has garnered attention for her playful presentation of common objects including fishing shelves and cooking pots. Her landscapes allow the viewer to glimpse the rugged hills and snowy valleys of the north.
Padloo Samayualie
Kinngait, Nunavut
B. 1977-
Padloo comes from a family of well-known artists, her maternal grandparents being the renowned sculptors, Qababuwa and Taraya Tunnillie. Her grandmother, Keeleemeeoomie Samayualie and her aunt, Elijakota Samayualie both were established artists in drawing and graphic arts.
Padloo has a unique approach to both traditional and contemporary subjects and began drawing seriously while attending a Banff drawing workshop in 2001.
Ningeokuluk Teevee
B. 1963
Cape Dorset
Since her first prints appeared in the collection in 2004, Ningeokuluk has been one of Kinngait studio’s most celebrated artists. She has a comprehensive knowledge of Inuit legends and a fine sense of design and composition. These elements have made many of her prints highly sought after by collectors. Ningeokuluk has had numerous solo shows of her bold and resplendent drawings and some of her work has been featured in exhibitions in major public galleries and museums.
Jutai Tonoo
B. 1959
Cape Dorset
Jutai Toonoo, a painter and stone sculptor, is the son of the noted Inu
