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Kananginak Pootoogook

Cultural Background: Inuit

Kananginak Pootoogook, sculptor, designer, draftsman, printmaker (born in Ikerrasak camp, south Baffin Island, NWT, 1935). Son of the great camp leader, Pootoogook, he came to Cape Dorset in 1958, when James Houston brought printmaking to the North. He became one of the four original printers. Kananginak worked in all media, including silk-screen printing of textiles. However, he excelled as an engraver and lithographer, particularly of wildlife art, which he had mastered completely while retaining a personal style with definite abstract qualities.

Kananginak was also a prominent and involved community leader. He was instrumental in the formation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative and served for many years as President of its Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Royal Canadian Academy.

Kananginak lived in Cape Dorset with his wife, Shooyoo and their family until his death in 2010.

Origine Culturelle: Inuit

Kananginak Pootoogook, sculpteur, designer, dessinateur, graveur (né dans le camp Ikerrasak, au sud de l’île de Baffin, TN-O, 1935). Fils du grand chef Pootoogook, il est venu à Cape Dorset en 1958, quand James Houston a amené la gravure dans le Nord. Il est devenu l’un des quatres imprimeurs originaux. Kananginak a travaillé dans tous les médias, y compris la sérigraphie textile. Toutefois, il a excellé en tant que graveur et lithographe, en particulier de l’art de la faune, dont il avait maîtrisé complètement tout en conservant un style personnel avec des qualités abstraites définies.

Kananginak était aussi un chef important et impliqué dans la communauté. Il a contribué à la formation de la coopérative Esquimau de West Baffin et a servi pendant de nombreuses années en tant que président de son conseil d’administration. Il était également membre de l’Académie royale canadienne.

Kananginak vivait à Cape Dorset avec sa femme, Shooyoo et sa famille jusqu’à sa mort en 2010.

This artist’s works are also available in Note Card Boxed Sets.