Tinirrusiangit is an Inuktitut word that means “their gifts” or “what they gave”. It is the name of the latest exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario features the work of two Inuit artists, Kenojuak Ashevak (1927-2013) and her nephew Tim Pitsiulak (1967-2016). Ashevak (1927-2013) was born in southern Baffin Island although she grew up on the land in the traditional, semi-nomadic hunting lifestyle, living in igloos and skin tents.
In the 1950’s she developed TB and ended up, against her will, in a hospital in Quebec City This was not a happy time in her life. She had just given birth when she was forcibly transferred; the baby was adopted by a neighbouring family. Several of Kenojuak’s children died while she was in the hospital. One of the ways of passing time at the hospital was making arts and crafts such as beading and doll making.
When she returned to Kinngait Nunavut (previously Cape Dorset), she learned printmaking. She was also one of the early members of the West Baffin Eskimo Collective which became Kinngait Studios.
Ashevak was the first internationally known Inuit artist. Her most famous piece, ‘The Enchanted Owl’ 1960, was used on a Canadian postage stamp in 1970 in honour of the Northwest Territories centennial. Owls were one of her favorite subjects.
below: Ravens and Owl, 1979, stonecut and stencil on paper, by Kenojuak Ashevak
below: Happy Little Owl, 1969, stonecut on paper, by Kenojuak Ashevak
below: Untitled, 2004-5, pencil and felt tip marker on paper, by Kenojuak Ashevak
Tim Pitsiulak, born in Kimmirut Nunavut, was a hunter and a painter. He started drawing as a young boy and although he tried carving and jewelry making, most of his artwork centers around depicting everyday life in drawings and paintings.
below: GoPro Hydrophone, 2016, pastel on black paper, by Tim Pitsiulak. Here, the artist (the hunter) throws a GoPro camera into the water to record the sounds and images of the animals in the water.
“What more could I ask for, than for people to notice what we have up here? This is the best thing about being and artist and a hunter.” Tim Pitsiulak quote on the wall at the AGO.
below: Swimming with Giants, 2015, by Tim Pitsiulak. Beluga whales swimming with a bowhead whale.
The exhibit continues until 12 August 2018
as I walk Toronto 
I am a AGO member so saw this a couple of weeks ago and it was impressive. I especially enjoyed learning more about these artists via photos, videos and written material. I am taking a friend this Friday (have a membership with guest privileges) so I will simply enjoy the artwork itself this time.