IAQ News

A Collector’s Eye ᓄᐊᑦᑎᕙᑦᑑᑉ ᕿᓂᐅᓯᖓ: The Halvarson Gift of Inuit Art is showing at the University of Alberta Museums Gallery A in the TELUS International Centre until December 14 2019.

Illusuak Cultural Centre Opens its Doors in Nain, NL

After breaking ground in 2014, the Illusuak Cultural Centre in Nain, NL opened its doors to the public in November.

Couzyn Van Heuvelen Awarded Public Art Project

A graphic nod to the history of Inuit printmaking by Bowmanville-based sculptor and installation artist Couzyn Van Heuvelen has been selected for the Glen Road Pedestrian Tunnel public art project.

Major Collection of Inuit Art Donated to Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), has announced the gift of twenty-seven textiles, sculptures and works on paper from the collection of Joyce W. and P. Frederick Sparling.

Judas Ullulaq Sculpture Breaks Record at Auction

On November 19, 2019, at Waddington’s Inuit Art public auction in Toronto, Shaman’s Face (n.d.) a sculpture by Judas Ullulaq (1937-1999), doubled the artist’s previous record at public auction.

Lisa Quluqqi Koperqualuk named Curator of the MMFA

Vice President of International Affairs at the Inuit Circumpolar Council Lisa Quluqqi Koperqualuk to join the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts team as their new Curator and Mediator of Inuit Art.

Embassy of Imagination Parade Opens the Toronto Biennial of Art

On September 21st, the Toronto Biennial opened to the public in locations across Toronto. Ambitious in scope, the inaugural edition of the Biennial promises “72 Days of Free Art” along the waterfront.

National Gallery of Canada Announces Curators for 58th Venice Biennale

The National Gallery of Canada (NGC) has confirmed that the Canada Pavilion will be curated by a team composed of Asinnajaq, Catherine Crowston, Josée Drouin-Brisebois, Barbara Fischer and Candice Hopkins.

Couzyn Van Heuvelen Short-Listed for Public Art Project

A bold and graphic nod to the history of Inuit printmaking by Bowmanville-based sculptor and installation artist Couzyn Van Heuvelen is among the five short-listed proposal for the Glen Road Pedestrian Tunnel public art project.

Spirit Wrestler Gallery to Close its Doors this October

Vancouver’s Spirit Wrestler Gallery is closing its doors to the public this October. Founded in 1995, the gallery became well-known for showcasing the work of a host of leading Indigenous artists from across Canada and beyond.

Inuit Artists to Perform at 2019 Festival Internacional Cervantino

Among Festival Internacional Cervantino’s 2019 line-up are a number of Inuit artists including a Polaris Prize-nominated musician and a Dora award-winning multidisciplinary artist.

Arnait and Isuma’s Latest Co-Production Coming This Fall

Set in Nunavik shortly after World War II, Restless River (2019) is based off Gabrielle Roy’s 1970 novel Windflower.

Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association Appoints Inuit Majority Board

The Nunavut Arts and Crafts has a new Inuit majority Board of Directors. 11 out of the 12 positions on the recently elected board are now held by Inuit, following their appointments during NACA’s annual general meeting in July.

Riddu Riđđu Festival Highlights Nunavummiut Artists

The 2019 edition of the annual festival, held in the community of Manndalen, Norway, boasted an impressive roster of Inuit creatives from musicians to filmmakers and more.

Aija Komangapik Awarded Top Prize in Indigenous Arts & Stories Contest

Emerging artist Aija Komangapik has received first place in the Indigenous Arts & Stories contest, presented annually by Historica Canada, for the digital drawing Drumdancer (2019).

Elisapie Named to Polaris Prize Short List

The short list for the 2019 Polaris Music Prize has been announced, and among the 10 nominated albums is Ballad of the Runaway Girl (2018) by Montreal-based, Salluit-raised musician Elisapie (Elisapie Isaac).

3 Prints Released to Celebrate 60 Years of Kinngait Studios

In celebration of 60 years of printmaking in Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU, Dorset Fine Arts has released a special summer collection featuring two new works by Ningiukulu Teevee and Ooloosie Saila as well as a historic, previously unreleased print by Pitaloosie Saila, RCA.

Inaugural Toronto Biennial Highlights Inuit Artists

The list of participating artists for the Toronto Biennial of Art this fall has been released, with a number of artists from across the Arctic among the 90 national and international participants named so far for the 72 day event.

Inuit Delegation to Finland Are “Cultural Ambassadors” According to New Senate Report

Indigenous artists are identified as “’essential’ to Canadian diversity and its distinct image abroad,” including the recent delegation of artists organized by the IAF and Canada Council for the Arts at the Arctic Arts Summit.

Elisapie Longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize

Singer-songwriter Elisapie (Elisapie Isaac) is among the 40 musicians long-listed for this year’s Polaris Music Prize, for her third studio album The Ballad of the Runaway Girl (2018).

Inuit Art Centre Receives $2M Donation

The Winnipeg Art Gallery announced a significant gift of $2 million to the Inuit Art Centre from The North West Company, which will fund the development of a public plaza adjacent to the Centre.

Kablusiak Shortlisted for the Sobey Art Award

Kablusiak has been named to the short list for the 2019 Sobey Art Award, the most prestigious art prize in Canada. They are the second Inuk artist and first Inuvialuk artist to be short-listed for the accolade.

Talirunili Sculpture Breaks Record at Auction

A sculpture by Joe Talirunili (1893-1976) has broken the record for the highest price paid for a work by an Inuit artist at public auction. The work was offered on May 29th, 2019, in the inaugural sale by First Arts.

Major Donation to Support Artists at the Venice Biennale

With Isuma’s exhibition at the Canada Pavilion, the National Gallery of Canada Foundation announced the gift of one million dollars by The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation to the Canadian Artists in Venice Endowment to support future representation at the premiere contemporary art event.

Inuit Art Quarterly Nominated for 2 National Magazine Awards

The Inuit Art Quarterly, the world’s only magazine dedicated to Inuit and circumpolar Indigenous arts, has received two 2019 National Magazine Award nominations for Issue Grand Prix and Publisher Grand Prix.

Alootook Ipellie Inducted into Canadian Cartoonist Hall of Fame

In recognition of his significant contributions to the art of cartooning in Canada, the late artist Alootook Ipellie will be inducted into the Giants of the North: Canadian Cartoonist Hall of Fame in May 2019.

Kablusiak Longlisted for the Sobey Award

Kablusiak has been named to the 2019 Sobey Award longlist, Canada’s most prestigious award for young artists. They are the first Inuvialuk artist nominated for the prize and are included as part of the Prairies & North catchment.

Bart Hanna Kappianaq Unveils Sculpture at Parliament Hill

Renowned Iglulik-based sculptor Bart Hanna Kappianaq unveiled Sedna with Friends (2019) at the Canadian Parliament Complex in Ottawa, ON, coinciding with the 20th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of Nunavut.

Artists Boycott Indigenous Music Awards Over Cultural Appropriation

Inuit musicians Tanya Tagaq, Kelly Fraser, PIQSIQ, Iva and more have boycotted the Indigenous Music Awards over concerns of cultural appropriation in the work of nominee Cikwes, who incorporates throat singing within her work.

Jessica Kotierk Leads Iqaluit Museum as Manager and Curator

The Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum in Iqaluit, NU, the Territory’s only museum, announced recently that Jessica Kotierk has been hired as the Manager and Curator.

Jocelyn Piirainen Joins Winnipeg Art Gallery as Assistant Curator

Ottawa-based artist and curator Jocelyn Piirainen has joined the Winnipeg Art Gallery as the inaugural Assistant Curator of Inuit Art. Piirainen is the first Inuk in Canada to hold a lead curatorial position at a provincial museum.

Collaborative Installation Debuts at Nuit Blanche

“Memory Keepers /Gardiens des mémoires” is a collaborative installation by Jesse Tungilik, Jason Sikoak, Megan Kyak-Monteith, Darcie Bernhardt, Tom McLeod, Glenn Gear and Caroline Monnet at the FOFA Gallery courtyard at Concordia.

Prime Minister Apologizes for Historic Mistreatment of Tuberculosis Patients

Accompanying the historic apology from the federal government, we revisit the carvings produced during patient stays in southern sanitariums that provide an invaluable record of this chapter of Canadian history in stone.

Canadian Museum of History Receives Major Donation of Inuit Art

Over 750 contemporary sculptures, 120 works on paper and 25 examples of historical material by Inuit artists from across the North were donated to the Canadian Museum of by the estate of Dr. Margaret (Marmie) Perkins Hess.

Shuvinai Ashoona Receives 2018 Gershon Iskowitz Prize

The Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU graphic artist is the first Inuk recipient of the prestigious $50,000 prize and solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

The City of Ottawa Art Collection Acquires New Works

Barry Pottle, Katherine Takpannie and Annie Pootoogook (1961-2016) are among the artists included in the City of Ottawa Art Collection’s recent acquisition who will be featured the exhibition Kaleidoscope at the City Hall Art Gallery.

Kenojuak Ashevak Breaks Records at Auction

Following a riveting round of bidding at Waddington’s in Toronto, ON on November 20th, 2018, a red-tailed copy of Kenojuak Ashevak’s famous 1960 print The Enchanted Owl broke previous auctions records set by the artist.

Circumpolar Indigenous Film at imagineNATIVE 2018

From fantasy and adventure to experimental film, music video and documentaries, we’ve rounded up the best offerings from the Circumpolar North across the five-day festival.

59th Annual Cape Dorset Print Collection Released

The collection features prints by Saimaiyu Akesuk, Shuvinai Ashoona, Qavavau Manumie, Malaija Pootoogook, Cee Pootoogook, Quvianaqtuk Pudlat, Pauojoungie Saggiak, Pitaloosie Saila, Axangayuk Shaa, Padloo Samayualie, and more!

MBAM Acquires Work by Niap and Partners with Avataq

MBAM deepened its promotion of Inuit art and culture with a recent acquisition of work by Niap (Nancy Saunders) as well as the announcement of a new partnership with the Avataq Cultural Institute.

Kenojuak Cultural Centre Opens Its Doors in Kinngait

The $10.2 million-dollar Kenojuak Cultural Centre and Print Shop in Kinngait (Cape Dorest), NU opened its doors on September 5, 2018 with a series of celebrations and exhibitions.

Story of All-Inuit Lacrosse Team To Premiere At TIFF

The Grizzlies, a film based on the all-Inuit team of the same name, will have its worldwide premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival this fall.

Nunavut Artists Selected for Public Art Program in Iqaluit Daycare

Last week, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs announced that the construction of the new Iqaluit Community Day Care is underway and will prominently feature commissioned works by Nunavut artists.

Bart Hanna Awarded Major Commission in Ottawa

Iglulik (Igloolik)-based sculptor Bart Hanna Kappianaq has been selected to install a new work in Centre Block, the main building of the Canadian parliament complex on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Panniqtuuq Releases First Major Print Collection Since 2011

For the first time since 2011, the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts in Panniqtuuq (Pangnirtung), NU, unveiled a new print collection at a launch event on July 8, 2018 as part of the Nunavut Arts Festival in Iqaluit, NU.

Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory Wins Inaugural Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award

Iqaluit-based artist Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory is the recipient of the inaugural Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award, for her multi-disciplinary practice which centres on uaajeerneq (Greenlandic mask dance).

WAG Breaks Ground on Inuit Art Centre

The Winnipeg Art Gallery broke ground on its Inuit Art Centre today. Slated for opening in 2020, the 40,000-sqft, four-storey Centre will bring to view the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art.

McMichael Canadian Art Collection Announces New Chief Curator

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection has named as its new curator Toronto-based critic and curator Sarah Milroy as its new Chief Curator, who seeks to “make Canadian art history relevant and fresh for contemporary audiences.”

IAQ Nominated for Four National Magazine Awards

The Inuit Art Quarterly, the world’s sole publication dedicated to the arts and artists of Inuit Nunangat, has received four 2018 National Magazine Award nominations.

Couzyn van Heuvelen Named to the 2018 Sobey Art Award Longlist

Iqaluit-born artist Couzyn van Heuvelen has been named to the 2018 Sobey Art Award longlist, Canada’s most prestigious award for young artists. The honour comes on the heels of several career milestones for the artist in recent years.

Inuit Art Centre Announces All-Inuit Guest Curatorial Team

The Winnipeg Art Gallery has confirmed a team of four Inuit guest curators to open the WAG’s Inuit Art Centre’s inaugural exhibition calendar.

Andrew Qappik Named Member of the Order of Canada

Governor General Julie Payette announced 125 new appointments to the Order of Canada, among them Andrew Qappik “for his contributions to defining the visual culture of Nunavut as a master printmaker and sculptor.”

Funding and Curatorial Future of the WAG’s Inuit Art Centre

Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister has confirmed the provincial government will provide $10 million over five years to the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Inuit Art Centre, a first-of-its-kind cultural landmark in the making.

Isuma to Represent Canada at the 58th Venice Biennale

The 2019 representative artist for the Canada Pavilion at the 58th Venice will be the artist collective Isuma. This is the second time Inuit artists have been presented at the fair, Kananginak Pootoogook being the first in 2017.

New Study Finds Value of Inuit Arts Economy

Inuit art contributed $87.2 million to the Canadian economy in 2015, according to a trailblazing study released today.

Inuit Art Foundation Announces Igloo Tag Trademark Transfer in Iqaluit

The Igloo Tag Trademark will transfer from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada to the IAF, which is uniquely positioned to administer the trademark to further protect, promote and support Inuit art in Canada and internationally.

Michael Massie and Ellen Hamilton Receive the Order of Canada

Massie was made a Member to the Order for his work as a sculptor and silversmith and Hamilton for her promotion of Inuit arts and culture, as well as her support of Arctic performers and artists.

Mural by Inuk Artist Nancy Saunders Revealed at Ottawa Museum

In celebration of National Aboriginal Day, the Canadian Museum of Nature opens the new, permanent Canada Goose Arctic Gallery, featuring Ilurqusivut (Our Ways), a large-scale mural created by Inuk artist Nancy Saunders (Niap).

Kenojuak Ashevak on the Canadian Ten Dollar Bill

For the first time ever, a Canadian banknote features a work of Inuit art! Kenojuak Ashevak’s Owl’s Bouquet (2007) will appear on 40 million commemorative $10 banknotes celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Mattiusi Iyaituk Presents on Artist Resale Right

Former Inuit Art Foundation President Mattiusi Iyaituk travels to Switzerland to present at the International Conference on Artist’s Resale Right, hosted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Building a Nunavut Performing Arts & Culture Centre

After eight years of annual consultations, Qaggiavuut! is preparing to launch an international fundraising campaign for a Nunavut Performing Arts Centre, pursuing financial support for a dedicated performance space for the region.

IAQ Editor Britt Gallpen Awarded Inaugural Editor Grand Prix, Honourable Mention

Inuit Art Quarterly Editor Britt Gallpen has been recognized as Editor Grand Prix, Honourable Mention at the 2017 Magazine Grands Prix. The award recognizes excellence, leadership and mentorship in magazine editing.

The Hnatyshyn Foundation's REVEAL Indigenous Art Awards

The Hnatyshyn Foundation announced in Ottawa today the laureates of the REVEAL Indigenous Art Awards, which honour Indigenous artists who have shown exceptional leadership in both their home communities and on the world stage.

Inuit Art Quarterly Shortlisted for Canadian Magazine Award

The Inuit Art Quarterly has been shortlisted for Best Magazine, Literature and Art in the 2017 Canadian Magazine Awards. The nomination, announced March 30, 2017, recognizes excellence in publishing in the arts and literature, including poetry. This is the inaugural year for the Canadian Magazine Awards presented by Magazines Canada. This is also the IAQ’s first nomination for a ‘Best Magazine’ award in its thirty year history.