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 Rankin Inlet ceramic artists Jack Nuviyak, Sue Shirley, Lucy Sanertanut, Yvo Samgoshak, Jim Shirley, Pierre Aupilardjuk and John Kurok, from left, are attending the opening of an exhibit of their work at the Winnipeg Art Gallery this week. Missing from photo is Roger Aksadjuak. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
Jim Shirley of the Matchbox Gallery says many of the artists have been involved with the Rankin gallery for years.
The group includes Jim and Sue Shirley, John Kurok, Jack Nuviyak, Pierre Aupilardjuk, Yvo Samgushak, Lucy Sanertanut and Roger Aksadjuak.
Shirley says the group will attend an evening opening at the Winnipeg Art Gallery on April 30, before the exhibit opens to the public on May 1.
The exhibit will run for about four months.
Shirley says the Winnipeg Art Gallery is considered one of the world's premier showcases for Inuit art.
"In many ways, the Winnipeg Art Gallery is a torchbearer for other institutes that are now involved in Inuit art," says Shirley.
"We're very proud to have been accepted for this exhibition. It's an honour."
The Matchbox Gallery has a number of stunning clay pieces featuring the work of two different Inuit artists.
That approach may evolve to the point where collaborative works are produced involving Northern and Southern artists.
Shirley says the term traditional Inuit ceramics is a rather interesting concept, since ceramic art is not inherent to Inuit culture.
He says you can't be a nomadic culture, constantly having to move from one location to another, and be carrying around 230 kilograms of soapstone.
"Ceramic art was introduced to Inuit by Southern culture.
"Having said that, the motifs, ideas, designs and narratives are definitely Inuit.
"You see a great deal of Inuit culture and tradition displayed within the various pieces.
"It's a wonderful blending of two separate and distinct cultures into one art discipline."
Shirley often refers to the Matchbox Gallery as an art co-operative where artists work together and support each other's efforts.
"The work done here is not a case of people running off alone and losing themselves in their ideas and creations.
"We really help each other at the Matchbox Gallery.
"That spirit of co-operation has been the main thing to sustain us over the years."
