Laura Power
Northern News Services
Monday, July 23, 2007

IQALUIT - One book wasn't enough for Kyra Fisher.

Having already published a guide book which featured 80 artists from Kimmirut, her current project is the next step in a series of such books.

Kyra Fisher: Author working on second guide book of Nunavut artists. - photo courtesy of Jerry Riley

This time, Fisher, now an Iqaluit resident, is focusing on Cape Dorset artists. The book, which she expects will be finished by the new year, will include100 artists from Cape Dorset.

"I love interviewing people because you learn so many things," she said. "You get to know people in a different dimension and it's really, really fascinating."

Fisher, who is heavily involved in the arts herself as a printmaker, understands the need artists have for this kind of publicity.

"As an artist I make up my own biography, and if there's an exhibit or a gallery that wants my work I will give them my biographies because I know it will sell my work," she said.

"In the old days, just the work would sell, but now people in galleries really like to know something about the artists."

The artists featured in her books range from children who are just starting out to accomplished artists, and includes people at various points in their careers. In her first book, two deceased artists to whom Fisher wanted to pay tribute (Iola Abraham Ikkidluak and Nalenik Temela) were also featured.

"Obviously you want some really well known artists but I'm also looking for up and coming artists and children artists," she said.

Artists of many kinds are also taken into consideration. Fisher is interested in writing about people who make the books more colourful.

"I try to make the book interesting as well by including people who not only do art but also do other things," she said.

Along with the short biographies of each of the artists in her books are photos of the artist and images of their work. Fisher took many of the photos for the Kimmirut book, but Jerry Riley (a professional photographer) will be working on the Cape Dorset one with her.

"The calibre of the photographs in this new book will be much better than mine," she said.

Fisher is also working on a third book, which will be a guide to artists in Iqaluit, where she now resides. She is already thinking ahead to her fourth book, which will likely focus on Baker Lake.