Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory facts for kids

Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory is a talented artist from Iqaluit, Nunavut. She is a Kalaaleq (Greenlandic Inuk) performance artist, poet, actor, storyteller, and writer. Laakkuluk is especially known for performing uaajeerneq. This is a special Greenlandic mask dance that tells stories. It focuses on themes like fear and humor. Laakkuluk sees uaajeerneq as both a political and cultural act. She also describes it as a unique art form.

About Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory

Laakkuluk was born and grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. She has both Inuk and British family roots. Her mother, Karla Williamson, helped bring uaajeerneq back to life in the 1970s. This dance was almost lost because of missionaries in Greenland long ago. Laakkuluk started learning uaajeerneq when she was thirteen. She trained and performed with her mother during her teenage years. Today, she lives in Iqaluit, Nunavut, with her husband and three children.

Laakkuluk's Artistic Work

Her Unique Art Style

Laakkuluk has been a part of the Inuit, Indigenous, and Canadian art scenes since the 1990s. She says that uaajeerneq is the most important part of her art. In an interview, she explained that this dance makes her brave to try new things. It helps her explore deeper ideas. She writes poetry, tells stories, and creates theater. She also makes performance art and videos. All of her work includes some part of uaajeerneq. Laakkuluk says uaajeerneq explores themes like our place in the universe. It also connects us to our ancestors, and includes humor. She often touches on all these themes in one performance.

In 2016, Laakkuluk shared her film Timiga Nunalu, Sikulu (My Body, The Land and The Ice). This film was part of a project called #callresponse. This project involved Indigenous women artists. In her film, Laakkuluk works to challenge harmful stereotypes. She also promotes respect for Indigenous women. Some parts of the #callresponse projects were shown at grunt gallery in Vancouver, BC.

Working with Tanya Tagaq

Laakkuluk often works with Tanya Tagaq. Tanya is an Inuk throat singer and recording artist. Laakkuluk appeared in Tanya's 2016 music video for "Retribution." They also performed together in 2015 for the #callresponse project. The two artists also performed in March 2018. This was part of the Beyond Worlds series at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Laakkuluk said that when they perform, they connect deeply. Tanya uses her voice, and Laakkuluk uses her mask dancing. She described it as an amazing experience. They are unique but make each other's performances even better.

Qaggiavuut! Society for Arts

Laakkuluk is a founder of the Qaggiavuut! Society for a Nunavut Performing Arts Centre. This group supports Inuit artists. It is working to build a community arts center in Iqaluit. Qaggiavuut! Society has been run by volunteers since 2009. In January 2016, they won the Arctic Inspiration Prize. This was the first time an arts group won this award. Besides building an arts space, the group also helps Inuit artists get more training. They create job opportunities for artists in the Arctic. They also work to keep traditional Inuit art forms alive. And they help create new Inuit performing arts. Laakkuluk started working as a program manager for the Qaggiavuut! Society in 2016.

Awards and Recognition

In 2021, Laakkuluk won the Sobey Art Award. The judges said her performances bravely challenge old ideas. They noted how her art comes from her own life experiences.

Performances and Exhibitions

Performance Works

• Tulugak: Inuit Raven Stories, with Sylvia Cloutier, 2013
• Retribution, with Tanya Tagaq, 2016
• Kiviuq Returns, with Qaggiavuut! Society for a Nunavut Performing Arts Centre, 2017
• Visions and Dreams—Northern Light, CBC, VTPL, 2003
• Hunter's Journey—Dancing with Spirit TV series, Bravo, 2007
• Throat Song, Kajutaijuq, The Grizzlies (film)

Group Exhibitions

• The Fifth World, Kitchener–Waterloo Art Gallery, 2016
• Timiga Nunalu, Sikulu (film), for #callresponse, grunt gallery, 2016

Solo Exhibitions

• Naak silavit qeqqa? Art Gallery of Ontario, 2022-2023

Curation Projects

• Ilitarivingaa? exhibit, Art Gallery of Ontario, 2004
• Inuit Art in Motion exhibit, with Anna Hudson, Art Gallery of Ontario, 2003

Written Works

• "Talluriutiup Tariunga"—Oceans North Canada, 2015
• "We are a Nation of Lovers"—Up Here Magazine, 2015
• "Dog Children"—The North-South Project: An Anthology of the Lost, 2015
• From the Moon to the Belly postcard project, with Maria Hupfield, 2012
• "How Akutaq Came to Be"—Pith and Wry, 2011
• "Aqausiit: Can You Hear How Much Love You Evoke In Me?!"—Native Studies Review 20(2), 2011
• "Inuit gender parity and why it was not accepted in the Nunavut legislature"—Études huit 30(1), 2006