Mikigak Kingwatsiak

Mikigak Kingwatsiak (1943-2002) was a carver from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU. He hailed from an artistic family, which included his brother, Iyola Kingwatsiak (1933-2000), known for his carvings and prints, as well as his three sisters, Anna Kingwatsiak (1911-1971), Keeleemeeoomee Samualie (1919-1983) and Tyle Adla (1936-1990), who were all accomplished artists [1].

Kingwatsiak primarily created stone and marble sculptures that feature human figures or animals from northern environments, such as bears, birds and seals. Bird (n.d.) highlights his skill in capturing northern fauna, as it features a precisely sculpted bird with long wings folded on its back and a prominent curved beak. He also occasionally represented spiritual figures, such as the Arctic sea goddess Sedna.

Kingwatsiak’s artwork was included in the annual Cape Dorset Graphics collection.  His work has also been featured in a variety of exhibitions between 1967 and 2004 at art galleries and museums in cities across Canada, such as the Winnipeg Art Gallery in Winnipeg, MB, the Art Gallery of Hamilton in Hamilton, ON, the Canadian Guild of Crafts Quebec in Montreal, Quebec and Snow Goose Gallery in Ottawa, ON, as well as internationally in England, Germany and the United States. Kingwatsiak’s work is also included in numerous public collections throughout Canada, such as at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, QC, the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, ON, and the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC.