ᐃᓄᒃᑐᑦ
KENOJUAK ASHEVAK
ᐃᓄᒃᑐᑦ
KENOJUAK ASHEVAK
1927-2013
Inuit
Kinngait, Dorset Island, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada
Printmaking, Drawing, Graphics, Sculpture
Without question, Kenojuak Ashevak is one of Canada's most acclaimed graphic artists, best known for playing a central role in bringing Inuit art and culture to international attention and acclaim over the course of her lifetime. Ashevak was born and raised on the Southern coast of Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin Island) and in Nunavik (Arctic Quebec) where she grew up living a traditional Inuit lifestyle, where her family migrated from camp to camp and lived off the land. Her father was a well respected shaman, hunter and fur trader. She was first introduced to traditional crafts by her grandmother, Koweesa, and along with her husband (Johnniebo Ashevak 1923-1972) she began carving and drawing in her early 20's quickly developing a strong passion for art. After settling in Kinngait in 1966 to raise their children, they both became involved in
the earliest form of the arts program at Kinngait Studios which was established by the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative in 1959.
Her works are highly sought after and admired for their high level of technical skill and imaginative approach to capturing the elegant forms and vibrancy of her subjects; such as a plethora of arctic inhabitants and wildlife; from spirits and local landforms to fellow community members. She had a diverse and imaginative sensitivity to the unique qualities of her arctic home and a brave, innovative, approach to showcasing the abiding strength of Inuit cultural heritage.
One of her earliest and most famous works Enchanted Owl (1960) was chosen to be featured on a stamp to commemorate the centennial of the Northwest Territories in 1970. It was from this point that birds became one of the signature subjects of her work. Throughout her long standing career, she would often return to birds as one of her favorite subjects. Her depictions of Owls in particular seem to brim with vital energy, appearing in her work at times as bashful or playful creatures and at others as elusive beings of great spiritual power.
Ashevak traveled prolifically during her career throughout North America, Europe and Asia (often being the first Inuit artist to ever do so) including taking part in many high profile commissions, projects and exhibitions in Japan, the UK, Netherlands, South Korea and Germany. Ashevak quickly gained recognition for her work and over the course of her lifetime she majorly advanced the exposure of Inuit art and culture to international audiences, often taking on the role of an ambassador for Inuit art during her travels.
Her works can be seen on numerous giftware products throughout Canada as well as on the national currency. Though she was well known for her prints and drawings, her artistic capacities were numerous and she was often commissioned to create artworks such as stained glass windows, ceremonial blankets, murals and governmental signage. Both herself and her work were the subject of many exhibitions, books, print catalogs and films.
In 2008, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to both Inuit and Canadian art she was awarded the Governor General's Award of Excellence in Visual Arts. During her lifetime she was also made a Companion of the Order of Canada and awarded a lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. She was the first Inuit artist to be inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame and was given honorary doctorates from both Queen's and Toronto University.
Original works by Ashevak are highly sought after and she remains the most widely distributed Inuit artist of her generation. Her art can be found in major public and private collections throughout the world. Ashevak encountered many obstacles in her life including the loss of several children, her first husband and a lengthy battle with tuberculosis. Her strength, optimism and deep love for art is expressed keenly in her work and endures through her legacy to this day. She remains a great inspiration to many
