IGLULIGAARJUK/CHESTERFIELD INLET
A Chesterfield Inlet woman has won the popular logo design contest put forward by the Nunavut Arts and Craft Festival and Alianait Arts Festival.
Lise Desrosiers designed a painting for the contest that depicts a soaring owl with an inuksuk and full moon in the background.
The theme this year was Enchanted Owl, in honour of Cape Dorset’s Kenojuak Ashevak, who died in January.
“I remember seeing her work during a trip to Pangnirtung. I was very moved by her work,” Desrosiers said. “Mrs. Kenojuak was a great artist who has distinguished herself through her art. She was able to make it known and to appreciate the Inuit arts. By choosing a logo in her honour it gives yet more weight to her great talent.”
Prior to being announced the winner, Desrosiers said she was honoured to be among the finalists. “Being an artist is to be part of a group of people who love and interpret life through art,” she said.
Rowena House, executive director of the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association (NACA), said the theme this year came from Heather Daley, executive director for Alianait Arts Festival.
“It had a lot to do with Kenojuak’s passing. We really wanted to honour her and to make sure the festival is in her honor with the logo,” House said.
Daley said the Enchanted Owl came after a board meeting with Alianait. “I thought it was a great idea, and we confirmed with NACA and the Cape Dorset Print Shop if we could do it. As long as it wasn’t an exact reproduction it was fine,” she said.
This was the third year for the logo design contest and Daley said it came after a different project a number of years ago in which murals were painted during the festivals to honour artists that had passed away.
“This follows that idea of paying tribute to great artists who are no longer alive. It was a neat idea. We would love to do more again eventually,” Daley said.
The contest for the logo design had about nine submissions this year, said Pascale Arpin, a communications advisor for NACA.
“There was not a ton but it was really hard to choose,” she said.
A small panel consisting of a member from NACA and Alianait, as well as last year’s winner, Naya Maurice, narrowed it down to the finalists that were then turned over to the public for voting.
“They were suppose to narrow it down to three but they couldn’t choose,” Arpin said.
“It is always interesting when you turn it over to the public. You have your own perceptions but whatever people end up choosing, it takes the pressure off.”
Alexander Angnaluak, an artist originally from Kugluktuk who is living in Iqaluit, also submitted a design.
“(Kenojuak Ashevak) was a great pillar in the foundation of Inuit art. She paved the way for a lot of upcoming artists. Personally she has inspired me to do art,” Angnaluak said.
“It’s a great way to show respect for all she has done."
Desrosiers’ owl will be put on T-shirts for both festivals as well as on the program and promotional material. The Alianait Arts Festival is scheduled to run from June 28 to July 1 and the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Festival is scheduled for July 2 to 9.
