RANKIN INLET
The Matchbox Gallery is celebrating 25 years of producing beautiful ceramic art and passing on the skills of literacy in Rankin Inlet.
Jim Shirley displays a book documenting the artists and permanent collection of the Matchbox Gallery and the Kangirqliniq Center For Arts And Learning this past week in Rankin Inlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
The gallery is run by the husband-and-wife team of Jim and Sue Shirley.
Jim said Evo Samgushak and Laurent Aksadjuak headed the gallery learning group's first orientations to ceramics around 1989-90.
He said their contributions in helping to set up the ceramics program should never be forgotten.
"Evo picked up Aksadjuak's role when he passed away more than a decade ago, and he became the person we went to for support and advice on some of the techniques of ceramics," said Jim.
"Evo worked with the original government-run project that was in what is now Ivalu.
"In its beginnings, our program was a continuation of what the Government of the NWT did from the early '60s until the program was stopped in the mid-'70s.
"We picked it up about 17 years later."
Jim said it's hard to believe it's been 25 years since he and Sue began the gallery.
He said it's not something that can be done on the side, because it takes every ounce of one's focus and
concentration to make it work.
"You're working with people, materials and processes you've got to pay attention to.
"You've got to be really careful and learn the processes and techniques because it's very unforgiving.
"It took us about four years to get on our feet, technically.
"Then we stopped making mistakes and things came out on a consistent basis."
Jim said in addition to the art produced over the years, he's equally proud of the literacy skills taught to the artists through the Kangirqliniq Center For Arts And Learning.
He said they've been running a traditional arts workshop for the past 12 years; an arts training program for professional artists featuring courses in reading, writing, math, drawing, ceramics and printmaking, as well as an independent workshop for artists to work in their own area of specialization.
"If they can't read and write, they're going to be at the mercy of those who can for the rest of their lives.
"Most of them live in a very marginalized situation, which makes them aware of how important literacy is.
"There's no kicking and screaming here, because if you don't like it, you don't do it and you walk out the door."
The Shirleys have called Rankin home for the past 35 years.
Jim said artistically speaking, they've come up with outstanding results on par with anything in the world.
He said he challenges anyone to show him a program with better ceramics than the Matchbox Gallery.
"Every artist we've had demonstrated incredible potential because Inuit had to be very skilled with manipulating material.
"Some of our best at ceramics are women, who have to be very skilled because if you can't sew a garment that's going to hold together and be waterproof, you're going to die.
"Men need strong hands when making tools, and to know how to move a piece of sinew around or they're not going to be able to make the tools they need to survive."
The Matchbox Gallery has a high profile presentation coming up at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa from April 20 to 28.
Its first major show in the past few years, the gallery will have 20 pieces in the visual arts section.
Looking back over 25 years, Jim said he's most proud of the fact he and Sue still have a place, the bills are paid, and they're still improving in their ability to run the program.
But, he said, they're slowly wearing out.
"We're proud of our accomplishment because nowhere in the world are you going to find a place where the vibe is as positive and supportive of people as here.
"You can go any place you want, but you won't find a place as driven by a positive sense of community.
"We're very, very proud of the beautiful work that represents the end result."
Jim won't reveal his age, but he's still setting goals.
He said as far as he's concerned, you don't stop setting goals until you're dead.
"I was put on this Earth to solve problems and that's what I've done.
"I haven't been defeated by life.
"I've been educated by living every day and I'm very grateful for life."
The Matchbox Gallery has been Jim's life, but he has some unfinished business to attend to.
One voice has been too silent over the years, and it's time to set it free.
"I need to support my own expression, and deal with my own voice and the things I want to say in this life.
"It's a bit spooky because I haven't worked for myself in a long time.
"But I'm looking forward to the challenge."
