Rock, Paper, Scissors

Largely curated from the AGG’s permanent collections, Rock, Paper, Scissors highlights works in a broad range of media by contemporary Inuit artists from across Canada.

The exhibition features stone and bone sculpture by: Abraham Anghik Ruben (born Paulatuk, lives Salt Spring Island, BC), Michael Massie (born of Inuit, Métis, and Scottish heritage in Happy Valley Goose Bay, Newfoundland), David Ruben Piqtoukun (born Paulatuk, lives Toronto), and Oviloo Tunnillie (Kinngait, Nunavut).

The exhibition also represents works on paper, including drawings and prints, by: Peter Aliknak (1928-1998, Ulukhaktok, NWT), Luke Anguhadluq (1895-1982, Tariunnuaq, Nunavut), Ruth Annaqtuusi Tulurialik (Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), Kenojuak Ashevak (1927-2013, Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), Pitseolak Ashoona (Kinngait, Nunavut), Shuvinai Ashoona (Kinngait, Nunavut), Janet Kigusiuq (1926-2005, Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), Myra Kukiiyaut (1929-2006, Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), William Noah (Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), Annie Pootoogook (born Kinngait, Nunavut, lives Ottawa), Eegyvudluk Pootoogook (Ikirasak Passage near Kinngait, Nunavut), Kananginak Pootoogook (1935-2010, Kinngait, Nunavut), Pudlo Pudlat (1916-1992, Qikiqtaaluk, Nunavut), and Nancy Pukingrnak Aupaluktuq (Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut).

The wall hangings, including woven, embroidered, and appliqué examples, were created by: Irene Avaalaaqiaq (Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), Fanny Avatituq (Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), Angie Eetak (Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), Naomi Ityi (Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), Ekidluak Komoartok (Pangnirtung, Nunavut), Victoria Mamnguqsualuk (Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), Melanie Qillulaq (Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), Simona Scottie (Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut), and Marion Tuu’luq (1910-2002, Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut).

Additionally, the exhibition features a rare print stone, coupled with its source drawing and a stonecut print pulled from the carving, by Pudlo Pudlat (1916-1992, Qikiqtaaluk, Nunavut).

The exhibition is augmented by a series of photographs (from 1982 and 1998) by John Reeves, who was invited by the Canadian Eskimo Arts Council to the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative in Kinngait (Cape Dorset). The photographs reveal Reeves’ fascination with the “scale-less, apparitional landscape” of the Arctic and include portraits of Inuit artists with their families and their art.

Many of the art works in Rock, Paper, Scissors were acquired by donation through the generosity of private collectors. Other pieces were purchased for the collection from the artists directly, or through contemporary dealers in Inuit art, with support from the AGG Volunteer Association and the Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Assistance Program. Selected works, including an unique collection of carved cribbage game boards and an extraordinary large carving by Abraham Anghik Ruben, are on special loan to AGG from private collectors living in Guelph.

Image detail: Naomi Ityi, People and Animals, 1999, wool duffel and felt, cotton embroidery thread. Purchased with funds raised by the Art Centre Volunteers, 1999. Macdonald Stewart Art Centre Collection at the Art Gallery of Guelph