Ruth Qaulluaryuk facts for kids

Ruth Qaulluaryuk (born 1932) is a talented Canadian Inuk artist. She is famous for her amazing textile art, like wall hangings, and also for her drawings.

Early Life and Moving to Baker Lake

Ruth Qaulluaryuk was born in 1932 near the Back River area in what is now Nunavut. This region was once part of the Northwest Territories. Her father was the well-known graphic artist Luke Anguhadluq. She is also married to artist Josiah Nuilaalik.

For many years, Ruth and her family lived a nomadic life. This means they moved from place to place, following food sources. But in the 1950s, there wasn't enough food, which caused a big problem. Because of this, Ruth and her family moved to the settlement of Baker Lake in the early 1970s. They were among the last families to make this big move. Moving to Baker Lake helped them find a more stable life. It also allowed her children to go to school.

Becoming an Artist

Ruth Qaulluaryuk did not have any formal art training. To help her family, she started sewing clothes and making crafts. She sold these items through a government program that supported arts and crafts.

In 1974, her artistic talent was noticed. Two of her beautiful wall hangings were shown in an exhibition called "Crafts from Arctic Canada." This show was put on by the Canadian Eskimo Arts Council. In the same year, one of her drawings, called Tundra with River, was chosen for the Baker Lake Annual Print Collection.

Her reputation grew even more the next year. Her drawing Hundreds and Hundreds, Herds of Caribou was featured in the following year's collection. This helped establish her as an important artist.

Ruth Qaulluaryuk's Art Today

Ruth Qaulluaryuk has continued to create art and show her work. Her art has been displayed in exhibitions across Canada and the United States. Many important art places have her work in their collections.

Some of these places include the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of History. Her art is also at the National Museum of the American Indian and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. The Macdonald Stewart Art Centre, now known as the Art Gallery of Guelph, also has her pieces. Other places include the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and the Simon Fraser Gallery at Simon Fraser University.

In 2021, Ruth Qaulluaryuk's art was part of a special exhibition. It was called INUA and was the first show at the Winnipeg Art Gallery's new Inuit art center, Qaumajuq.

Ruth Qaulluaryuk is the daughter of artist Luke Anguhadluq. She is also the wife of artist Josiah Nuilaalik. Josiah is the son of artist Jessie Oonark. Ruth and Josiah have seven children together.