Exciting Vision Emerging for Inaugural Show

The guest curatorial team for the inaugural exhibition, pictured left to right, Kablusiak, Krista Ulujuk Zawadski, Asinnajaq, Dr. Heather Igloliorte. Photo: Pauline Boldt/26 Projects.

In last fall’s edition of myWAG, Dr. Heather Igloliorte, leader of the Inuit Art Centre’s inaugural exhibition guest curatorial team, revealed that the exhibition will be titled, INUA–a word meaning ‘spirit’ or ‘life force.’ INUA is also an acronym for Inuit Nunangat Ungammuaktut Atautikkut, which loosely translated means ‘Inuit Moving Forward Together.’

Works from close to 50 artists will offer a balanced representation of all four regions of Inuit Nunangat, other Canadian regions and urban centres, and various art media. New works integrated with works from the collection will span several generations of artists. About half of the new works will be specially commissioned for INUA. Works from other circumpolar areas such as Greenland, Alaska, and Siberia will also be celebrated.

As Dr. Igloliorte noted, “The Inuit world is vast, and our arts proliferate everywhere.”

The curatorial team met again in mid-January, spending much of their time selecting works from the collection in the WAG vaults. They’re now continuing to meet with artists and confirm commissions and loaned works.

As more works become confirmed, the team comes closer to envisioning how they will be presented in the main Inuit Gallery and other Inuit Art Centre spaces.

Ideas are emerging for the Centre’s grand opening celebration in 2020, including live performances and Inuit food.

None of this would be possible without the amazing support of our donors. Stay tuned for more exciting details on the WAG Inuit Art Centre’s inaugural exhibition over the coming months!