Leo Napayuk

Leo Napayuk is a sculptor and ceramic artist originally from Salliq (Coral Harbour), Nunavut, now based in Kangiqliniq (Rankin Inlet). He was raised by parents who were both artists and came to his practice early, beginning with stone carving. He initially worked in softer stones using hand tools such as chisels and hacksaws before utilizing power tools in later years. He has also carved in whalebone, depicting people and animals. Napayuk has fond memories of trapping on the land with his father and incorporates traditional imagery and activities into his work.

Napayuk began working with clay after moving to Rankin Inlet, learning through the Matchbox Gallery under instructor Jim Shirley. He adapted his drawing and carving skills to clay using an incising technique that creates a bas-relief effect, similar to his approach in stone. He was the first artist to use this technique at the Matchbox Gallery studio. Napayuk works intuitively without drawings or models, carving one figure at a time into the larger clay form, with the shape of each previous figure guiding the next.

Napayuk has produced collaborative works with his peers at the Matchbox Gallery. In 2017, the touring exhibition Earthlings included collaborative pieces by Napayuk, Roger Aksadjuak, Shuvinai Ashoona, Pierre Aupilardjuk, Shary Boyle, Jessie Kenalogak, and John Kurok. The exhibition was shown at the Esker Foundation in Calgary, the Doris McCarthy Gallery in Toronto, and the Nanaimo Art Gallery. His work is held in the permanent collections of the National Gallery of Canada and the Gardiner Museum.