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1904 - 1983

Pitseolak Ashoona

Pitseolak Ashoona was born in 1904 on Nottingham Island. She was among the first generation of Inuit artists whose artwork focused on traditional Inuit lifestyles. Pitseolak bore 17 children with her husband, Ashoona, many of whom became artists, including Ashoona Ottochie, Komwartok, Kaka, Kiawak and Napatchie Pootoogook. Her granddaughters, Shuivinai Ashoona and Annie Pootoogook, were also artists. Following her husband's death, Pitseolak settled in Cape Dorset, where she produced over 9000 drawings. Her artwork focused on traditional Inuit cultural traditions. She was inducted into the Royal Academy of Arts in 1974 and received the Order of Canada in 1977. Pitseolak worked on drawings and prints until her death in 1983.

Media: Graphite, Coloured Pencil, Felt-tip Pen, Wax Crayon, Watercolours, Acrylic Paints

This information has been generously provided by Dorset Fine Arts. For more information on Cape Dorset art and artists, visit Dorset Fine Arts.