Artists in Residence at WAG-Qaumajuq

Government of Nunavut partnership brings three Inuit artists to Winnipeg

Winnipeg, Manitoba, January 22, 2024: The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq is pleased to announce the launch of a new Artist in Residency program in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Heritage and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. The four-week residency will run from January 19-February 16, 2024 where three Inuit artists travel to Winnipeg to participate.

The three artists are Aghalingiak Okokannoak (Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay), Dayle Kubliuitok (Iqaluit), and Eva Qirniq Noah (Qamani’tuaq/Baker Lake) who were selected by a committee of staff from the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., and WAG-Qaumajuq. The artists will receive airfare, artists fees, per diems, and accommodations within walking distance to the Gallery.

The artists will have daily access to a studio space at WAG-Qaumajuq and to the Gallery’s media arts equipment and facilities to produce work, provide advice, and promote Inuit art from Nunavut. Artists will also have an opportunity to research and learn about the WAG-Qaumajuq collection of Inuit art as well as the Government of Nunavut collection of Inuit art currently housed at the Gallery and participate in community programming.

This program aims to develop artists’ practices by supporting experimentation without the pressure to present a finished body of new work. The residency is artist-driven and independent, with staff assistance available to community outreach, technical, and logistical support.

This new residency program will overlap with the annual Government of Nunavut visit to WAG-Qaumajuq between January 23-27 during which Inuit Heritage and Culture workers from across Nunavut come to the Gallery to attend a series of workshops and to build lasting relationships.

Quick Facts:

• A new four-week Artist in Residency program in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Heritage and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will take place at WAG-Qaumajuq January 19-February 16, 2024.
• The winners of the residency are Aghalingiak Okokannoak, Dayle Kubliuitok, and Eva Qirniq Noah.
• The three artists were selected from a committee of staff from the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., and WAG-Qaumajuq. Artists will receive airfare, artist fees, per diems, and accommodations within walking distance to the Gallery.
• Artists will have daily access to studio space at WAG-Qaumajuq and to the Gallery’s media arts equipment and facilities to produce work, provide advice, and promote Inuit art from Nunavut. They will also be able to research and learn about the WAG-Qaumajuq collection of Inuit art and the Government of Nunavut collection of Inuit art, also housed at the Gallery.

About the artists:

Aghalingiak Okokannoak (Ikaluktutiak/Cambridge Bay)
Aghalingiak recently graduated with a BFA from NSCAD University where they studied photography, film, multimedia, history, and digital art, with a focus on painting and drawing. Having spent the last few years researching and curating on “Kanok Piniaka (The Process of Inuit Embodied Practices),” “Kakiniit Hivonighijotaa (Inuit Embodied Practices and Meanings),” and “Kanok Piniaka (The Process of Inuit Embodied Practices).” They are currently interested in expanding their practice in textile art and digital media.

Dayle Kubliuitok (Iqaluit)
Dayle is a passionate illustrator and digital artist deeply influenced by their Inuit and Dene heritage. Their creative practice has been shaped by Inuit stories that speak to themes of resilience, connection to nature, and the supernatural as well as animated series and compelling characters in digital popular culture, notably the World of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Dayle enjoys blending traditional motifs and contemporary aesthetics, seeking to bridge the gap between the past and present.

Eva Qirniq Noah (Qamani’tuaq/Baker Lake)
Eva is a textile artist who is interested in pursuing healing through her creative practice. A mother and grandmother, she recalls the memories of being told Inuit stories by her father that continue to inspire her work. Her tapestries are in various museum collections including The High Society of Civilization at the Canadian Embassy in London, England and at the State of New York. Eva is interested in expanding her textile practice and exploring acrylic painting during her residency.

Quotes:

“Art enriches life and promotes creativity and innovation. It preserves and enhances Nunavut’s culture, heritage, and languages. The Government of Nunavut Artist-in-Residence Program will give Inuit artists the opportunity to produce work, provide advice, and promote WAG-Qaumajuq. Artists are offered the freedom to continue their practice, develop a new project or site-specific work, and are encouraged to creatively engage with the community through programming while they are at the Gallery.”

— Caroline Whittle, Government of Nunavut, Director of Heritage and Culture

“I am really excited to be partnering with the Government of Nunavut and to bring this residency to WAG-Qaumajuq. Having fresh perspectives and artists’ energy in the building and seeing what they will create and how they will use these resources is something I and the rest of the staff here, is looking forward to. A big part of why we built Qaumajuq was to help bring Inuit art and artists to the forefront, and I can’t think of a better opportunity. Congratulations to the artists and welcome to Winnipeg!”

— Stephen Borys, Director & CEO, WAG-Qaumajuq

Associated Links

WAG-Qaumajuq Inuit Art Collection
Government of Nunavut Inuit Art Collection, housed at WAG-Qaumajuq
Nunavut Shines Through Qaumajuq
Gateway to the North
Government of Nunavut and WAG Promoting Inuit Art in Winnipeg

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:  

Katryna Barske
Public Relations Officer
Winnipeg Art Gallery
204.789.1295
kbarske@wag.ca

About Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq
WAG-Qaumajuq is a cultural advocate using art to connect, inspire, and inform. Playing a dynamic role in the community, we are a place for learning, dialogue, and enjoyment through art. Opened in March 2021, Qaumajuq connects to the WAG on all levels, celebrating the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. The new WAG-Qaumajuq cultural campus is now one of the largest art museums in Canada. To learn more visit wag.ca.

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