Pitseolak Ashoona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pitseolak Ashoona
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| Born | c. 1904 |
| Died | May 28, 1983 |
| Known for | Graphic artist |
| Spouse(s) | Ashoona |
| Awards | Order of Canada 1977 |
| Elected | Royal Canadian Academy of Art 1974 |
Pitseolak Ashoona CM RCA (around 1904 – May 28, 1983) was a famous Inuk artist from Canada. She was known for creating many artworks. She was also a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, a special group for artists.
About Pitseolak Ashoona
Pitseolak was born on Nottingham Island, which is now part of Nunavut. Her name means "sea pigeon" in Inuktitut, the Inuit language. She grew up living a traditional Inuit life. This meant her family found food by hunting animals and gathering plants. Their culture also involved spiritual leaders called angakuit.
Around 1922 or 1923, Pitseolak married a hunter named Ashoona. They lived on Baffin Island. They had 17 children, but only six lived to be adults. Some children passed away young. Others were adopted by other Inuit families, which was a common custom.
After her husband Ashoona died when he was about 40, Pitseolak raised four of her children by herself. These were Kumwartok, Qaqaq, Kiawak, and Napachie Pootoogook. Ashoona died in the early 1940s. This was a difficult time for many Inuit families.
Pitseolak started making art after her husband passed away. Drawing helped her feel less lonely. She said art made her "the happiest since he died." Her artwork also helped her support her family. Even though her art came from a sad time, it mostly showed happy memories. Her drawings rarely showed hardship.
Pitseolak is known as one of the first Inuit artists to create art about her own life. Her art showed scenes of traditional Inuit life. It helped create a new form of Inuit art. This art shared old knowledge and values. It also became very popular and successful around the world.
Pitseolak passed away on May 28, 1983, in Cape Dorset. She left behind a large family of artists, including:
- Napachie Pootoogook, her daughter, who was a graphic artist.
- Annie Pootoogook (1969–2016), her granddaughter, also an artist.
- Qaqaq Ashoona ("Kaka") (1928–1996), her older son and a sculptor.
- Ohitok, her grandson, a sculptor.
- Kiugak Ashoona (1933–2014), her son and a sculptor.
- Shuvinai Ashoona (born 1961), her granddaughter, an artist.
- Kumwartok Ashoona, her son and a sculptor.
Becoming an Artist
Pitseolak Ashoona was one of the first artists in the 1960s to draw for the print studio in Cape Dorset. She taught herself how to draw. She learned by practicing a lot.
At first, Pitseolak sewed and embroidered items to sell. This was part of an arts and crafts program. The program was started by a government department. It helped Inuit people earn money. James Archibald Houston and Alma Houston started it in Cape Dorset in 1956.
Pitseolak saw the artwork of her cousin, Kiakshuk. He was part of the Cape Dorset graphic studio. This made her decide to try drawing. Her early drawings were very popular. She quickly became one of the most liked artists. Her work was often chosen for the Cape Dorset print collection.
Pitseolak first used graphite pencils. Later, she started using colored pencils and felt-tip pens. These became her favorite tools. Their bright colors helped her show the "joyfulness" in her art.
Her cousin Kiakshuk and James Houston both encouraged her to draw. She also tried working on copper plates, but she did not enjoy that method.
In the last 20 years of her life, from 1960 onwards, Pitseolak made over 7,000 drawings. About 233 of these were made into prints. She said her art showed life "before there were many white men." This meant life before many non-Inuit people arrived.
Her art shows both daily life and legends. One legend she drew was about Taleelayu. Pitseolak was inspired by other artists in her community. She said she liked the first prints because they were truly "Eskimo," meaning Inuit.
Pitseolak was accepted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1974. She also received the Order of Canada in 1977 for her amazing artwork.
Pitseolak continued to draw and try new art materials until she passed away in 1983. In 1975, she received an art grant. This allowed her to try painting with acrylic paints on canvas. At first, she painted like she drew. She would outline with a pencil, then fill in the colors. Over time, she learned to use the paints differently. She started using bold colors side by side to create a strong effect.
Pitseolak found making prints to be the most challenging. She said, "To make prints is not easy. You must think first and this is hard to do. But I am happy doing the prints." She also tried drawing directly on copper plates and lithographic stones.
In 1973, Pitseolak told her life story in a film. It was an animated documentary called Pictures out of My Life. It was based on interviews from a book by Dorothy Harley Eber. Pitseolak was also featured on a Canadian stamp. It was issued on March 8, 1993, for International Women's Day.
Pitseolak's art has been shown in many museums. These include the National Gallery of Canada and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Her work has also been seen at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Canadian Museum of History. In 1975, she had a special show of her art at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.
Pitseolak's Legacy
In 2020, Pitseolak Ashoona was one of eight people chosen as finalists. One of them would be shown on Canada's $5 polymer bills. This shows how important her art and story are to Canada.
