Oshutsiak Pudlat

Oshutsiak Pudlat was first inspired to start drawing to illustrate his brother Simeonie Quppapik’s (1909-) written stories. However, it was not until 1980 that Oshutsiak started to draw prolifically, using graphite and coloured pencil crayons as well as black felt-tip pens. Between 1982 and 1992, Oshutsiak had nearly twenty prints in the annual collections, including a special 1984 portfolio of four prints. Some of his prints such as The Kayak Race at Kingait, 1923, 1983 or Measuring the Whales Tail, 1986 reveal Oshutsiak’s sensitivity to the textural possibilities of printmaking. In Cape Dorset (now Kinngait), Oshutsiak was an active participant in the affairs of the Anglican Church. His brothers— Simeonie Quppapik (1909-1974), Pudlo Pudlat (1916-1992), and Joe Jaw (1930-1987)—have all been recognized for their art.

Excerpted, with light edits, from Strange Scenes: Early Cape Dorset Drawings by Jean Blodgett and Susan Gustavison, published by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, January 1993.