Inuit Art Collection

C.B. "Bud" Johnston, Dean of the Western Business School from 1978 to 1989, was an admirer of Inuit art and it is likely for this reason that the Ivey Business School received 21 Inuit pieces from the late Chum Torno. These works are displayed in the C.B. "Bud" Johnston Library (Business) and additional information about the artists is provided here.

Inuit Stonecut Prints

Most of the works in this collection are stonecut prints. This technique was developed in Kinggait (Cape Dorset) in the 1950s. While similar to Japanese woodcut printmaking, stone is the favoured medium due to its abundance in the arctic environment. A single artist can complete the entire process of designing, carving, and inking the print, but more commonly it is a collaborative effort, as each stage requires specialized knowledge and skills. Typically, no more than 50 prints are made from a single design, after which the stone is ground flat and reused for a new design. Etchings and lithography are other commonly used techniques.

Kenojuak Ashevak (1927-2013)

Of all the artists in this collection, Kenojuak Ashevak is likely the most well-known. Her work has been hosted in galleries around the world, and even placed on a Canada Post stamp. She is a Companion of the Order of Canada, and a recipient of the Governor General’s Award in Visual Arts. She is featured in the 1963 National Film Board production Eskimo Artist: Kenojuak and in a 2016 Canadian Heritage Minute.

Works:

  • Composition, 1967
  • Evening Spirit, 1967
  • Owl Spirit, 1968
  • Proud Birds, 1972
  • Child with Birds, 1973
  • Child with Owls, 1974
  • Dorset Birds, 1975
  • Summer Owl, 1975
  • The Owl and I, 1975

Pudlat Pootoogook (1919-1985)

Pudlat Pootoogook was an Inuit printmaker from Cape Dorset. His wife was graphic artist Sarni Pootoogook.

Work: Large Owl, 1964

Pudlo Pudlat (1916-1992)

Over the course of his life, Pudlo Pudlat produced more than 4500 drawings and 180 prints, among other work. He is known for depicting the interactions between modern technologies and more traditional Inuit lifestyles, and the transformations that occurred as a result. From 1990 to 1991 he was honoured with a retrospective of his work titled Pudlo: Thirty Years of Drawing at the National Gallery of Canada. His works are still featured in many Canadian galleries today.

Works:

  • The Owl, 1967
  • TUDLIK, 1974

Kananginak Pootoogook (1935-2010)

Kananginak Pootoogook was a prominent printmaker in Cape Dorset. As president of the Board of Directors for the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative, he advocated for the importance of printmaking as both a creative and economic opportunity for his community. He was elected a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts in 1980 and was the recipient of a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 2010.

Works:

  • Legend of Loon and Raven, 1971
  • Nesting Bird, 1972
  • Keegavik, 1975
  • Kupanuaq (black), 1975
  • Kupanuaq (colour), 1975

Pitseolak Ashoona (1907-1983)

Pitseolak Ashoona’s career as an artist began first with sewing and embroidery through an arts and crafts program initiated by the department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs (then the Department of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources). She later began drawing, developing a distinctive style featuring bold lines. She published a book entitled Pictures Out of My Life and was awarded membership of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and the Order of Canada.

Work: Festive Bird, 1970

Tye Adla (1936-1990)

Tye Adla was a printmaker from Cape Dorset. She was from a family of artists, including her brothers and her husband.

Work: Red Owl, 1967

References