WAG-Qaumajuq Launches Visible Vault Digital Platform, Supported by Canada Council for the Arts

New platform gives access to art and stories featured in Qaumajuq’s Visible Vault

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Treaty 1 Territory, July 22, 2021: The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq is pleased to announce the Visible Vault interactive digital platform launches today, made possible with support from the Canada Council for the Arts.

The innovative trilingual online platform (English, Inuktitut, and French) gives the public access to the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art, housed in the three-story glass vault in the new Inuit art centre, from anywhere.

Interactive elements include regional maps featuring communities from across Inuit Nunungat, the homeland of Inuit in Canada. Visitors will also find artist bios and learn about the stories behind the artwork that integrate Inuit Qaujimajatuangit, or Inuit traditional knowledge, technology, and societal values.

Starting today, the public can take a closer look at 150 key pieces in Qaumajuq’s Visible Vault and get a 360° tour of the glass vault on all levels. Explore the platform now at vault.wag.ca.

By September 2021, Qaumajuq visitors will be able to experience an expanded version of the Visible Vault digital platform onsite through a series of touchscreen monitors. In addition to digital interactive explorations of the 150 key pieces, visitors will be able to navigate all 492 shelves and identify thousands of carvings in the vault.

Quick Facts:

• The Visible Vault interactive digital platform is now available at vault.wag.ca and made possible with support from the Canada Council for the Arts through the Digital Strategies Fund.
• Special features include over 75 audio and visual clips and unique commentaries highlighting the voices of Inuk elders, knowledge keepers, artists, curators, and performers.
• Maxine Anguk – an Inuk who grew up in Whale Cove, Nunavut before relocating to Winnipeg – helped bring the vision to life as the Visible Vault Digital Platform Project Manager. Throughout the initiative, Maxine worked closely with Inuit filmmakers, photographers, as well as local Inuit elders and youth, to create a forum for as many Inuit voices as possible.
• During the project’s second phase, the two versions of the platform (online and onsite) will expand to include more Inuit voices and additional features that highlight the many works of art and artists.
• The platform offers website visitors virtual access to artist biographies with help from the Inuit Art Foundation. 

Featured Artists:

The 150 key pieces highlighted on the digital platform feature a broad range of Inuk artists from 25 communities, and represent every region across Inuit Nunangat. The works date from the early 1950s to the present day. They include internationally acclaimed artists such as John Tiktak, Davidialuk Alasua Amittu, Oviloo Tunnillie, John Pangnark, Lucy Tutsweetok Tasseor, Judas Ullulaq, John Kavik, and Abraham Anghik Ruben. The sculptures reveal the use of a wide variety of stone types, subjects and styles, and demonstrate the impressive diversity of contemporary Inuit art.

Quotes:

“We thank the Canada Council for the Arts for making this project possible. The digital platform allows access to audiences across the country and internationally, breaking down barriers and connecting people and art even from afar, which has become even more meaningful since the pandemic. We are proud to have the world’s largest collection of public Inuit art on display – now digitally – for all to enjoy.”

— Dr. Stephen Borys, Director & CEO, WAG-Qaumajuq

“I’m most excited for Qaumajuq to be open for the community, for people to learn about Inuit culture, history, and the artists whose art will be featured in the space. It will be an amazing learning experience. It’s time for Inuit to be included in conversations that happen around Indigenous communities.”

— Maxine Anguk, Visible Vault Digital Platform Project Manager

Support
WAG-Qaumajuq thanks the Canada Council for the Arts for funding the platform, to developer Tactica Interactive, and content partner the Inuit Art Foundation. Special thanks to Doug and Louise Leatherdale for making Ilavut possible, Qaumajuq’s entrance hall that includes the Visible Vault, all donors who adopted a shelf on the Visible Vault,and all Qaumajuq supporters.

Associated Links
Qaumajuq’s Visible Vault
Maxine Anguk on Qaumajuq’s Digital Vault Platform
Canada Council for the Arts

Stay Connected
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram  #atwag #qaumajuq365 #visiblevault

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Amy Rebecca Harrison
Engagement Supervisor
Winnipeg Art Gallery
204.789.1347
aharrison@wag.ca

The Winnipeg Art Gallery (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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