Exchanging Ideas, Creating Memories

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Jamesie Itulu (right) and Martha Siqiniq Aupaluktuq-Hickes (left) give each other high-fives. Two artists from Nunavut participating in the WAG-Qaumajuq’s Inuit Artist Residency, Jamesie Itulu and Martha Siqiniq Aupaluktuq-Hickes, at the WAG-Qaumajuq Wednesday morning. 250326 – Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

The Artist-in-Residence Program made possible through a partnership with the Government of Nunavut (GN), is now in its second year and gives artists the opportunity to work on their arts practice, make meaningful connections with community, and research the art and artists in the WAG-Qaumajuq and GN collections.

During the four-week residency, on now until April 4, the Gallery is hosting Jamesie Itulu (Pond Inlet), Martha Siqiniq Aupaluktuq-Hickes (Baker Lake), and Andrew Palongayak (Gjoa Haven).

Andrew Palongayak began his arts practice at a young age, carving with his father when he was just ten. Equipped with new tools from a shopping excursion in Winnipeg, Andrew began carving on the WAG Rooftop Sculpture Garden, creating multiple pieces. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here, to have access to a studio and its resources, new tools…when it comes to carving, I know what the rock wants to be, I just have to reveal it.”

When it comes to carving, I know what the rock wants to be, I just have to reveal it.- Andrew Palongayak

Jamesie Itulu came to the Gallery with a plan to focus on one or two stencil printing and digital drawing projects, but was inspired to create more. With access to other mediums, he is now working on a printmaking and digital animation projects as well. He was inspired by the art on display, particularly the paintings and carvings, some of which were created by his family members. Jamesie began drawing at age four and continues this pursuit as a form of meditation and purpose. When he goes back home, he intends to teach and mentor others to use the graphics application Procreate, which he practiced in our Digital Media Lab.

Martha comes from a prolific lineage of artists, her grandmother was the famed Jessie Oonark, from whom she learned to sew. Sewing and beading projects are Martha’s main focus while at WAG-Qaumajuq; she is working on an amauti, headbands, and brooches. One of the things she is most excited about is the time dedicated to making art, she jokes that she is coming out of retirement to be a full-time artist, now creating pieces to sell and give to her family.

You can see and shop the works by all three of the artists on April 3 at ShopWAG during a reception from 4-7pm.

ShopWAG Event

The idea for the creation of the artist residency came from our annual exchange with the Government of Nunavut. Every winter, the Gallery hosts Nunavut’s Culture and Heritage staff for a week-long visit, knowledge sharing, and strengthening our partnership through various programs and initiatives. The main goal of the visit is to build long-lasting collaborative relationships that bridge North and South, collectively working to enhance Nunavut’s culture, heritage, and languages, and reinforce our commitment to Inuit art and artists now and in future generations.

WAG-Qaumajuq is temporarily housing the GN collection of 7,500 works of art while the Nunavut Inuit Heritage Centre is being built. This long-term loan and partnership have allowed us to support research into the art, celebrate the artists, offer training to museum professionals, and provide public access to these artworks, many of which are now on view in the Visible Vault.

“One of the memorable moments from this year was when Daniel Piryuaq, from the Baker Lake Visitor Centre, looked at two wall hangings created by his late mother, Betty Piryuaq,” says Colleen Leduc, WAG-Qaumajuq Learning Coordinator. “Betty included Inuktitut syllabics throughout one of the wall hangings in a manner that is reminiscent of speech bubbles. Daniel shared with the group a bit about the message that the wall hanging was conveying.”

This led the curators of Threads of Kin and Belonging to select one of Betty Piryuaq’s wall hangings to be included in the exhibition. The wall hanging communicates connections to traditions and highlights the importance of community.

We thank the Government of Nunavut for your ongoing partnership and can’t wait to see what the artists do next!