Description
These Narwhals by Pitseolak Qimirpik from Kinngait nicely show the talents of Pitseolak. Piseolak is establishing quite a name for himself among the new generation of Dorset carvers. Pitseolak learned to carve by observing and assisting his father, renowned carver Kellypalik Qimirpik (1948-2017). Pitseolak Qimirpik quickly established himself as both apprentice and contemporary artist. He began to create his first carvings when he was thirteen years old, and is known for depicting contemporary life and popular culture. His artwork has been exhibited widely in Canada, the United States and Switzerland.
These Narwhals by Pitseolak Qimirpik will be a nice addition to any collection.
Bio Pitseolak Qimirpik
BIOGRAPHY PITSEOLAK QIMIRPIK
Pitseolak Qimirpik (1986) is a Kinngait (Cape Dorset) – based carver. Qimirpik learned to carve by observing and assisting his father, renowned carver Kellypalik Qimirpik (1948-2017). Qimirpik’s uncle Allashua Atsiaq and cousin Noo Atsiaq are also carvers. Qimirpik began to carve when he was thirteen years old.
Qimirpik’s detailed carvings depict northern fauna, such as walruses, eagles and owls, as well as Inuit spiritual beliefs and stories. Qimirpik is noted for presenting his playful sense of humour in his artwork through his carvings of walruses that joyfully kick their flippers up and rabbits that dance to hip-hop music [1]. He frequently uses power tools to create his carvings and has also mined stone with other Kinngait artists Nuna Parr and Kovianaqtuliak Tapauangai to create his carvings [2].
He is also noted for featuring contemporary life and popular culture that blend traditional Inuit carving techniques with new technology [3]. Qimirpik’s Young Man with MP3 Player (2010) illustrates these concepts. This artwork features a young, smiling Inuk man created with polished dark green serpentine stone. Antler earphones and wires are connected to the green MP3 player that he holds. The carving highlights how Qimirpik uses materials that have traditionally been employed by Inuit carvers, but also reflects his personal experience of living in the North today. Young Man with MP3 Player also illustrates how the light colours of technology that Qimirpik features in his work, such as iPods or MP3 players, contrast with the dark, veined stone of the carving.
Qimirpik’s work has been widely exhibited at a number of national galleries, including Gallery Indigena in Stratford, ON, the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver in Vancouver, BC, and Feheley Fine Arts in Toronto, ON. His carvings have also been exhibited in the United States at the Albers Gallery of Inuit Art in San Francisco, CA and the Canadian Arctic Gallery in Basel, Switzerland. In addition, Teen with MP3 player (2010) is included in TD Bank’s collection in Toronto, ON.
Exhibitions
Pitseolak Qimirpik: Phantasmagoria
April 2 – 24, 2020 Feheley Fine Arts
Small Treasures
Jan – Feb 2017 Inuit Gallery of Vancouver
Small Sculptures by Great Artists
Nov 2014 – Jan 2015 Feheley Fine Arts
Pitseolak Qimirpik
Oct – Dec 2014 The Eskimo Gallery
Telling Stories: Inuit Art from Cape Dorset
Dec 2012 – Mar 2013 Toronto Pearson Airport: Terminal One
The Unexpected
May – June 2012 Feheley Fine Arts
Small Treasures
Jan 2012 Inuit Gallery of Vancouver
Small Treasures
Mar – Apr 2011 Canadian Arctic Gallery
Small Sculptures by Great Artists
Dec 2010 Feheley Fine Arts
Arctic Wind III: An Expression of Survival
Oct 2010 Coastal Peoples Gallery
Small Sculptures by Great Artists
Dec 2009 Feheley Fine Arts
Small Treasures
Jan – Feb 2009 Inuit Gallery of Vancouver
The Arctic Hare
Feb – Mar 2007 The Albers Gallery of Inuit Art
Arctic Miniatures
Nov – Dec 2006 The Albers Gallery of Inuit Art
Out of the Ordinary – Cape Dorset Sculpture
July – Sept 2006 Gallery Indigena
Rhythms in Motion
2006 Galerie d’art Vincent
Public Collections
TD Gallery of Inuit Art
Toronto, ON, Canada
