Tag Archives: Nunavut Gallery

All Canadian art….all Canada Day week

I thought it would be fun to write about Canadian art exclusively this week, in celebration of Canada Day this Wednesday.

Trance by Ningeokuluk TeeVee

I recently saw, and fell in love with, art by Ningeokuluk Teevee.  She’s an Inuit artist from Cape  Dorset.  Her drawings and prints caught my eye in the Nunavut Gallery in Winnipeg.  (See my post from July 17, 2014, and make sure you visit Richard at the gallery the next time you are in the ‘peg. Be forewarned:  Richard’s passion for Inuit art is infectious, and the amount of great art in the gallery is overwhelming.)

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Teevee’s images offer unique perspectives.  They are often based on Inuit stories and myths, and are quite charming, and even humourous, at times.  The Inuit Gallery of Vancouver has a brief interview with Teevee on their website.

In 2009, Teevee’s children’s book, Alegowas shortlisted for a Governor General’s Award for children’s book illustration.

Speaking of Winnipeg……

……the Nunavut Gallery is not to be missed.  It’s in an unassuming building which is, I suspect, too often overlooked.  (I confess I only visited  recently.)

Richard Kroeker and the Nunavut Gallery

This gallery is like a kiwi fruit.  It’s dull on the outside, and bursting with visual delights on the inside.  Richard Kroeker has collected a treasure trove of Inuit art.  The space is bursting with sculpture (polar bear sculpture, anyone?), prints, drawings and wall hangings.

There is so much good work in this gallery that I’ll warn you now–don’t go unless you’re prepared to be awed and amazed…..and have plenty of time.  The collection of work is extensive (I barely scratched the surface of the prints) and Richard has a wealth of information he is more than willing to share.

All the ‘stars’ of Inuit print art are represented here: Jessie Oonark, Pudlo Pudlat, Simon Tookoome, Luke Anguhadluq and, joy of joys! the grande dame, Kenojuak Ashevak.

Kenojuak Ashevak

A final warning:  The quality of the artwork, and the ridiculously low prices may cause you to buy an artwork…..or three.