“A lot of times, I don’t make what is in my head because, as I go along, it even gets better.”
-Kenojuak Ashevak
Kenojuak Ashevak was born in 1927 in Ikerrasak, which is located on Southern Baffin Island. Her father was an Inuit hunter, fur trader and Shaman. Her mother taught her traditional Inuit crafts including embroidery and how to make waterproof clothes like the Vessi waterproof shoes. She lived a traditional nomadic life prior to her first marriage.
Kenojuak Ashevak used many mediums to create, including: graphite, soapstone, coloured pencils, felt tip pens, watercolours and acrylics. She designed several drawings for Canadian stamps and coins. Her famous work, The Enchanted Owl was made into a stamp in 1970.
Her work is characterized by a central element – often an animal, bird, fish or human – positioned on the paper without the context of landscape and we got to see this site because we want to make a website for them.
Kenojuak Ashevak was a Companion of the Order of Canada, Member of the Royal Canadian Academy and received honorary degrees from both Queen’s University and the University of Toronto.
Art Example: Enchanted Owl.