Maria Canton
Northern News Services
Pangnirtung (Dec 11/00) - When Jolly Attagooyuk started studying printmaking at Pangnirtung's Arctic College, he never dreamt he would be able to make a living from selling his art.
But while re-packing his portfolio after another very successful show last week, the modest Attagooyuk had to admit his work has grown in popularity since his 1991 start.
People clog his table and snap up his prints and drawings before he even has a chance to replace what has been sold.
Now one of Nunavut's most prominent artists, Attagooyuk explains how it all started and where he finds his inspiration and creativity.
Jolly Attagooyuk: I started with wood cut printmaking in 1991 after I heard an announcement on the radio calling for interested people to get involved.
It was a big surprise to me that I could do it, so I went to Arctic College in Pangnirtung.
News/North: Did you have any idea that you would be so skilled?
Attagooyuk: I was really just looking around at what everyone else was doing. Before I started the printmaking I would paint and do a little bit of drawing, as a start.
N/N: What were your first drawings like?
Attagooyuk: Lots of animals -- seals and caribou -- and kayakers. A kayaker was my first print that I ever made.
N/N: How has your style changed over the past decade?
Attagooyuk: Every year there's a different style that emerges -- it seems to get much better every year.
First I started playing with colours and images and trying to make them as good as possible. Then I started sketching and etching.
In 1992 I came to Iqaluit for drawing and printmaking in the first year.
During my time in college we would travel to the print shop in Cape Dorset and to Ottawa to tour the galleries.
Touring other artists' workplaces and galleries is good because it is inspiring and gives us information.
N/N: Did you ever have any idea that you would become so popular?
Attagooyuk: The first show I ever went to I wasn't too popular, the second and third time a bit more.
Now things are getting popular, but I never really thought that this would happen, that people would line up to see my work.
N/N: What other mediums do you work in?
Attagooyuk: There's stencil, etching, oil painting, watercolours, silk screens, litho-print making. And I do a little bit of carving.
N/N: Where does your inspiration come from?
Attagooyuk: From my people, from the Inuit people.
I start asking people questions and then in my mind I start forming an idea for a print.
N/N: What shows do you participate in regularly?
Attagooyuk: I've been going to Inuvik (Great Northern Arts Festival) for six years, except in 1999 I didn't go, to Susimiut, Greenland, to the Nunavut Arts Festival in Rankin and here, to this show (Iqaluit Christmas Craft Fair).
N/N: How much work do you bring to each show? How do you know how much to bring?
Attagooyuk: If it's cards I usually make about eight different kinds and then bring between 75 and 85 of each kind.
For the bigger drawings and prints I bring what I have, but I can't make as many because of the size, it takes longer.
For this show, for example, I started getting ready about two months ago. I like to take my time to prepare and work on each piece carefully.
N/N: Do you find most of your year is spent preparing for art shows?
Attagooyuk: It seems like most of the time now is spent getting ready. Now I go to quite a few shows a year.
Every year I get to meet new artists -- see new faces.
N/N: What's a day in the life of an artist like?
Attagooyuk: Well, I have four kids, two sons and two girls, so I have to look after them too.
Every day I go to work at the (Pangnirtung) printshop and then pick up the kids and make them lunch and then go back to the printshop.
Usually during the day I'll work on my own personal prints. In the evenings I like to play sports -- basketball, hockey.
N/N: Do you ever have days when you can't think of anything to draw or work on?
Attagooyuk: Sometimes that happens. I think it's getting harder now to come up with very original ideas because there are so many things I see out there already and I want to think of something new and unique.
Maybe something abstract will be the way to go from here.
N/N: When you're struck with a new idea what do you do?
Attagooyuk: Right away I draw it, put it down.
Sometimes I get mixed up if I don't do it right away, or I can't feel if I should do it on a caribou antler or as a drawing.
N/N: Does the artistic vein run in your family?
Attagooyuk: My kids are getting there; I'm showing them. Sometimes I do water colours with them or drawing with crayons.
One time I brought my daughter to a show with me, my oldest girl, and she really enjoyed herself.
N/N: Do you have to start getting ready for another show right away?
Attagooyuk: Not at the moment. There might be a workshop in Nova Scotia for new printmaking techniques, I'm just waiting to hear about that.
N/N: Do you meet artists at the shows you attend who really inspire you?
Attagooyuk: When I was in Inuvik in July there were quite a few master carvers there and I watched them working on beautiful pieces, masterpieces.
They talked to me about carving and gave me ideas and looked at my work too.
It feels good to me to see really good work, it's inspiring.
N/N: Are you surprised that it's worked out so well for you?
Attagooyuk: Oh yes, I am so surprised and so happy that things have worked out.
It makes me feel so proud and I am really enjoying my life now.
N/N: You're practically famous, a lot of people know your name because of your artwork.
Attagooyuk: It seems that way and that makes me very happy.
