Collection: Kananginak Pootoogook

Kananginak Pootoogook (1935-2010) had been involved with drawing and printmaking since the late 1950’s when the West Baffin Eskimo Co-op first initiated the graphic arts program at Cape Dorset. His first print was included in the first catalogued collection of Cape Dorset prints in 1959. Since that time, his work has been included in all but three of the annual print collections.

From the beginning, Kananginak represented Arctic wildlife in his work. He was especially adept at drawing the many species of birds, which frequent the Arctic. In the 2000's he focused on the material culture of the Inuit, producing realistic, narrative drawings of camp and hunting scenes. His work has been produced in several print media – copper engravings, stonecuts, stencils, lithographs, and etchings. Kananginak was an accomplished printmaker himself; in the early years he often proofed and editioned his work. In 2017, he became the first Inuit artist to be included in the Venice Biennale's main exhibition.