World Renowned Kenojuak and David Ruben Piqtoukun
to make public appearance at the McMichael
CELEBRATE INUIT ART, October 12th to October 14th
Three-day celebration in Kleinburg
August 28, 2007 Kleinburg, ON – Kenojuak Ashevak is one of Canada’s most acclaimed Inuit artists. This world famous artist will be at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection to take part in the gallery’s three-day celebration of Inuit art and to celebrate her 80th birthday with gallery visitors.
The Inuit Art Festival runs October 12th to October 14th and feature artists’ demonstrations, family programming and lectures. Sculptor David Ruben Piqtoukun will be the Artist in Residence during the festival and will demonstrate his art both to the public and as part of a children’s Saturday morning art programme. There will be Inuit Throat Singer’s performing at the gallery and there will be a lecture on the subject of the gallery’s new exhibition, Stones, Bones and Stitches, which is based on a new book published by Tundra Books, Toronto. This delightful exhibition with its broad appeal to audiences of all ages, is sponsored by the McMichael Volunteer Committee The official launch of Tundra’s new book, written by exhibition curators Shelley Falconer and Shawna White, will take place on October 13th at the McMichael.
“Kenojuak is one of the North’s most important artists. Her long list of achievements and honours is surpassed only by her stamina and good humour,” said Tom Smart, CEO of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. “ Kenojuak has received many special honours over the years. She is now a Companion of the Order of Canada and has received Honourary Degrees from both Queen's University and the University of Toronto. In addition, Kenojuak has received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards Ceremony in Vancouver and, in 2001 was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, She is the first Inuit artist to be so honoured.”
Kenojuak will be working on her prints and meeting gallery visitors on Friday October 12th from 11 am to 4 pm, and on Saturday from 1pm to 4pm. On Sunday October 14th, Kenojuak will return to the McMichael to take part in the celebration of her 80th birthday. At 12.30 an arctic Throat Singing Group will perform in her honour. There will be a birthday cake celebration at 1.15 following which Kenojuak will be working and demonstrating her art inside the gallery.
World renowned Inuit sculptor David Ruben Piqtoukun, translates the oral traditions of his people into creations in stone. The artist will be at the McMichael Gallery throughout the three-day festival demonstrating his work and at 10 am on Saturday morning he will give a talk to the children registered in the gallery’s Saturdays at the McMichael art programme.
“David has a continuing fascination with the traditional Inuit spirit world of his people,” said Tom Smart. “His work is highly prized in collections throughout North America and in Europe (including the McMichael). David Ruben Piqtoukun balances his concern for the loss of his culture and language with a profound optimism, rooted in the shamanic beliefs of his ancestors."
One of 17 children, Piqtoukun lived a traditional migratory life with his family along the Arctic coast north of the Mackenzie River Delta, until he was sent away to school at age five. He was introduced to stone carving in 1972 by his brother Abraham Anghik.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Culture. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of more than 5,500 artworks, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, First Nations and Inuit artists.
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For High Rez Photo and other information
Media Contact
Stephen Weir, Publicist
(905) 893-1121 ext. 2529 Gallery
(416) 489-5868 Home Office
(416) 801-3101 Cell
sweir5492@rogers.com
