Eleeshushe Parr facts for kids

Eleeshushe Parr (born June 9, 1896 – died February 1975) was an Inuk artist. She was known for her drawings and sculptures. Eleeshushe came from the Kingnait area. She created more than 1,160 drawings in her lifetime. Her artwork has been shown in Canada, the United States, and even Sweden.

Who Was Eleeshushe Parr?

Eleeshushe and her husband, Parr, lived a traditional nomadic life. They moved around with their nine children. In 1961, they settled in Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada. This was because her husband became ill and got frostbite. He had to have part of his foot removed. Eleeshushe's children Nuna, Eepervik, and Quvianatuliak Parr are also artists. Her grandson, Peter Parr, is an artist too.

Eleeshushe's Art Journey

Eleeshushe started drawing when printmaking was new in Cape Dorset. She was a very active artist. She created over 1,000 drawings. These drawings are kept safe at the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative. Her artwork was part of the yearly Cape Dorset Graphics Collection from 1966 to 1969.

In 1970, the collection's name changed from 'graphics' to 'print'. This was the last collection that included Eleeshushe Parr's work. The collection opened in October at 50 galleries. The main opening was in Victoria, British Columbia. Eleeshushe also made carvings sometimes. People in her community knew her for her designs. They also admired her skill in sewing traditional animal skin clothes with cool patterns.

What Her Art Shows

Eleeshushe's prints, like "Boy Playing With Dogs" (1966), often show animals and scenes from Inuit life. These scenes usually take place in Northern Canada. In "Boy Playing With Dogs," a young Inuk boy plays with dogs. He pretends the dogs are animals he is hunting. The boy is about to use a toy harpoon. This kind of play was an important way for boys to learn how to hunt. The drawing uses soft shapes. It does not have many small details, except for the eyes, mouth, and nose of the boy and animals.

Where Her Art Was Shown

Eleeshushe Parr's art has been shown in many places. Here are some of the exhibitions:

• 1993 - "Strange Scenes: Early Cape Dorset Drawings," McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg, Ontario
• 1989 - "Inuit Graphic Art from Indian & Northern Affairs Canada," Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba
• 1985 - "Alaska Eskimo Dolls/Inuit Prints, Provincial Museum of Alberta," Edmonton, Alberta
• 1983-85 - "Grasp Tight the Old Ways: Selections from the Klamer Family Collection of Inuit Art," Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario

Where Her Art Is Kept

Many museums and galleries keep Eleeshushe Parr's artwork in their collections. This means you can see her art there.

• Winnipeg Art Gallery
• Art Gallery of Ontario
• McMichael Canadian Art Collection
• Cape Dorset Print Collection