Laura Power & Stephanie McDonald
Northern News Services
Monday, July 2, 2007

IQALUIT - The Pangnirtung Printmakers' annual print collection is nothing new to Iqaluit. But this year, the group took a different approach.

The artists dedicated the collection to three peers in the Pangnirtung arts community who have died in the last year: printmaker Enookie Akulukjuk (1943-2006), graphic artist and carver Ananaisie Alikatuktuk ( 1947-2007) as well as Joanasie Maniapik (1936-2007), chair of the Uqqurmiut Inuit Artists Association.

According to literature written by members of Uqqurmiut Centre For Arts and Crafts, these three have contributed significantly to their community.

As the annual print show was opening at several other North American galleries at the same time, only two of the 10 Pangnirtung printmakers featured in the exhibit, Andrew Qappik and Gyta Eeseemailie, were able to make it to the Iqaluit opening on June 23.

Qappik, who has been involved in printmaking for 23 years, has been recognized by the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts for his work and said he loves his work.

"If you don't love what you're doing, you don't take it to heart," he said at the opening of the exhibit.

The group of printmakers uses a variety of styles, including the use of stencils, silkscreening, printmaking and etching. Inspiration, said Qappik, comes from their traditions and surroundings.

"The prints portray children, traditional lifestyle, traditional games and wildlife," he said.

Brian Lunger, manager and curator of the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, said the museum has been hosting this show for about 20 years now, and the show now coincides with the two major annual festivals in Iqaluit, Alianait! Arts Festival and the Nunavut Arts Festival. He said there is usually a lot of interest in this show, and this year was no different.

"It's been very popular. We had some of the artists in for the opening and had a good turnout to come view it," he said.

Lunger said the collection is "very distinct to Pangnirtung" and said it is fitting as the museum enjoys promoting regional culture and artwork.

This year will be the final year that the artwork of the deceased Akulukjuk and Alikatuktuk will be on display. The prints will remain on exhibit at the museum until the end of August.