Helen Kalvak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen Kalvak
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She was decorated with traditional beautifying tunniit (facial tattoos).
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| Born | 1901 |
| Died | 1984-05-07 |
| Known for | Graphic artist |
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Notable work
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The Dance |
| Awards | Royal Canadian Academy of Arts Order of Canada |
Helen Kalvak (also known as Kalvakadlak) was a talented Copper Inuit artist from Ulukhaktok, Canada. She was born in 1901 and passed away on May 7, 1984. She is famous for her amazing drawings and prints that share stories of her culture.
Early Life in the Arctic
Helen Kalvak was born near Tahiryuak Lake on Victoria Island. She grew up living a traditional Inuit way of life. Her family also lived in places like the Prince Albert Sound area and Minto Inlet.
Her mother was Enataomik. Her father, Halukhit, saw that Helen had special spiritual gifts. He taught her to be an angatkuq, which is a spiritual healer in Inuit culture. Even after Helen became a Christian, her artwork still showed her traditional spiritual beliefs. She also drew many stories she learned as a child.
Becoming an Artist
In 1960, Helen Kalvak moved to Holman, which is now called Ulukhaktok. This happened after her husband, Edward Manayok, passed away suddenly. In 1961, she worked with a Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Henri Tardy. Together, they helped start the Holman Eskimo Co-op. This co-op was a place where Inuit artists could create and sell their work.
It was at this time that Helen Kalvak began making her famous artwork. By 1965, her drawings were made into prints. These prints were sold all over the world, sharing Inuit art with many people.
Awards and Recognition
Helen Kalvak's artwork became very well known. In 1975, she was made a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. This was a big honor for her work. Then, in 1978, she was given the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest awards a Canadian citizen can receive.
By 1978, Helen Kalvak had created about 2,000 drawings. Sadly, she could no longer use her hands to draw because of Parkinson's disease. The next year, in 1979, Canada Post used one of her artworks called The Dance on a 17-cent postage stamp. Helen Kalvak created 176 published prints. This means she has the most published artwork of any artist from Ulukhaktok.
When she passed away in 1984, Helen Kalvak was one of the last Inuit women in Ulukhaktok with traditional facial tattoos. These tattoos were a sign of beauty in her culture. Today, the school in Ulukhaktok is named after her, honoring her legacy.
Family Life
Helen Kalvak was married to Edward Manayok. He was a singer and a drum dancer. He passed away at a camp near Walker Bay.
Their daughter, Elsie Nilgak, shared how her mother started drawing:
- "When they were trying to start the Co-op, my mother was given drawing paper to make drawings. She would make drawings when we were at our outpost camp at Walker Bay. The drawings would show the way people used to dress and live. She did drawings for some of the sealskin tapestries also."
- "There were about five women, including my mother, who sewed sealskins for the Co-op. I still remember the first drawings and designs by my mother for kamiks, parkas, mitts, and other craft items."
- "I remember coming into Holman in the summer by boat to sell some of my mother’s finished drawings. I would get more art supplies to take back for her. This was after my father passed away [in 1960]."
Helen Kalvak's granddaughter, Julia Manoyok Ekpakohak (born in 1968), is also an artist. Helen Kalvak taught her how to draw.
