Kananginak Pootoogook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kananginak Pootoogook
|
|
|---|---|
Kananginak Pootoogook (centre)
|
|
| Born | 1935 Ikerasak, Nunavut
|
| Died | November 23, 2010 (aged 75) |
| Known for | sculptor, printmaker |
| Style | Inuit art |
| Awards | Indspire Award 2010 |
| Elected | Royal Canadian Academy of Arts 1980 |
Kananginak Pootoogook RCA (born January 1, 1935 – died November 23, 2010) was a famous Inuk artist. He was a talented sculptor and printmaker. Kananginak lived in Cape Dorset, Nunavut, in Canada. He passed away in 2010 after an illness.
Contents
Kananginak Pootoogook: A Life in Art
Early Life and Traditional Ways
Kananginak Pootoogook was born in 1935. His birthplace was a traditional Inuit camp called Ikerasak. This camp was near Cape Dorset, which is now part of Nunavut. His father, Josephie Pootoogook, was the leader of their camp. His mother was Sarah Ningeokuluk.
Kananginak's family lived a traditional Inuit lifestyle. They hunted and trapped animals for food and furs. In winter, they lived in an iglu. During the summer, they lived in sod houses. It wasn't until 1942 that his family moved into a modern house.
In 1957, Kananginak married Shooyoo. They moved to Cape Dorset. There, he started working with James Archibald Houston. Houston was an artist and promoter of Inuit art.
Becoming a Full-Time Artist
At first, Kananginak helped other artists. He did some carving and made prints and lithographs for them. He also played a big role in starting the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative (WBEC). This was the first co-op owned by Inuit people. He was the president of this co-op from 1959 to 1964.
Kananginak became a full-time artist in the 1970s. He created many drawings, carvings, and prints. In 1977, he made 13 original blocks for prints. These were used for the first WBEC calendar. Only 500 copies of this special calendar were made.
Terry Ryan, a former Co-op manager, said that Kananginak admired his uncle. His uncle was Peter Pitseolak, a photographer and historian. Peter Pitseolak's work also influenced Kananginak's art.
Major Achievements and Recognition
Kananginak Pootoogook's art gained wide attention. In 1977, the World Wildlife Fund released a special collection. It featured four of his images. In 1980, he was chosen to be part of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. This is a great honour for Canadian artists.
In 1997, Kananginak built a large inukshuk in Cape Dorset. An inukshuk is a stone landmark built by Inuit people. This one was for Roméo LeBlanc, who was the Governor General of Canada at the time. The inukshuk was later moved to Ottawa. Kananginak, with help from his son Johnny, rebuilt it at Rideau Hall. It was shown on June 21, 1997, which is National Aboriginal Day.
Kananginak had many art shows. In 2010, he went to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics. He also opened an art show there at the Marion Scott Gallery. He had his first solo exhibition at a public museum in Toronto. This show was at the Museum of Inuit Art from February to May 2010. He also received a 2010 National Aboriginal Achievement Award for his art.
Kananginak Pootoogook passed away on November 23, 2010, in Ottawa. He is remembered for his amazing contributions to Inuit art. He is survived by his wife, Shooyoo, seven children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is buried in Cape Dorset.
Notable Artworks
Kananginak Pootoogook created many beautiful artworks. Here are some of his well-known pieces:
- The Small Owl (1977) – a lithograph at the McCord Museum.
- Inintuq (1978) – a stonecut and stencil at the Dallas Museum of Art.
- An inukshuk (1997) – rebuilt at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
- Harfang (1992), Caribou (1977), and Bateau de peaux de phoque (1963) – found at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.
- Kanangina Cape Dorset Calendrier 1977 Calendar (1977) – published by West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative, Ltd.
- Summer Owl (1972) and Musk OX (1972) – lithographs at the Gilcrease Museum.
- Caribou (2005) – a drawing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Caribou (1958), Three Narwhal (1959), Caribou Hunt (1964), and A Big Catch (1988) – prints at the University of Michigan Museum of Art.
- Eider Ducks (1978), Small Owl (1977), and Summer Caribou (1978) – lithographs at the Portland Museum of Art.
- Whale – a lithograph at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art.
Honours and Awards
Kananginak Pootoogook received important awards for his artistic work:
- He became a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1980.
- He received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the arts category in 2010.
