Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Aug 31/98) - In a form of artistic expression that will probably renew global interest in Inuit art, Matthew Nuqingaq is making the legends of his culture more accessible.

With silver, brass and copper as his canvas and semi-precious stones as his medium, Nuqingaq is taking the stories he learned as a child and re-telling them in jewelry and metalwork creations.

"We can still tell these stories based on legends past and they're wearable. You can have the stories in there and someone sees the bracelet and they pass on the story right there," says Nuqingaq, one of 15 Nunavut Arctic College students currently displaying work at the Houston North Gallery in Lunenburg, N. S.

Dubbed Iniliuqtut, or Making Our Mark, the show opened in the gallery once owned by Alma Houston and is now in the hands of her son, John. The Houstons are known around the world as the family responsible for commercially developing Inuit sculpture and printmaking.

Wanting to maintain the integrity of his mother's gallery while elevating it to new heights, Houston dedicated the opening to her -- an event Nuqingaq says was very touching.

"Opening night was quite special...I was quite proud," Nuqingaq says.

Beth Biggs, the senior instructor for Nunavut Arctic College's Fine Arts program, likened the opening of Iniliuqtut to the premiere opening show of Inuit carving 50 years ago in Montreal.

"This is what it must have been like," says Biggs, explaining that while the seeds for artistic creation were already planted in the artists, instruction in jewelry making has resulted in the high calibre of work.

"How to compose things, ideas of beauty, aesthetics...the work is brought to that level by education," Biggs notes.

She says the courses are currently offered in Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, Repulse Bay, Arviat and

will soon start up in Pond Inlet, Clyde River and Rae-Edzo.

Cape Dorset artist Pootoogook Qiatsuk says jewelry making and metalwork sculpture has allowed him to find his own artistic niche.

Bred from a line of remarkably talented Inuit artists, both Qiatsuk's grandfather and father made names for themselves in art circles. Two generations later, Qiatsuk's own reputation is on the rise.

"It's different from carving and that's what I wanted. To take on a new challenge and make my own work."

John Houston points to Qiatsuk's success as a new phase and energy in Inuit art.

"I think more about the practitioners than the market and the excitement trickles down to me, the dealer. It helps the whole of Inuit art," Houston says.

Cited as one of the most successful shows in the 17-year history of the gallery, Houston says planning for bigger and better shows is in the works.

"Jewelry is powerful in that people sit up and take another look at Inuit art and see that amazing things are happening."