JOURNEY TO THE PAST 1/50
PAPER: HAHNEMUHLE COPPERPLATE BRIGHT WHITE
PRINTER: OPEN STUDIO
Inuit graphics, including drawings and prints, represent a relatively recent but highly significant development in Arctic Indigenous art. Emerging in the mid-20th century with the establishment of the first print studio in Kinngait (Cape Dorset) in 1957, Inuit printmaking quickly became a vital form of cultural expression. Since then, annual print collections have showcased the creativity of Inuit artists, supported by galleries such as Canada House Gallery, which has played an active role in promoting and preserving this evolving art form within Inuit art.
Inuit prints and drawings explore a wide range of imagery, from traditional hunting scenes and survival in the North to shamanic visions, Inuit legends, stylized wildlife, flora, and contemporary life. Each work reflects both individual artistic voice and shared cultural storytelling, making Inuit graphics an important bridge between tradition and modern expression.
A compelling reason to collect Inuit graphics is that each piece not only preserves and shares Inuit cultural knowledge, but also directly supports living artists and the continued growth of printmaking studios in Arctic communities.
The Annual Graphics Collection from Cape Dorset, Nunavut has been released since 1959 and features acclaimed graphic artists from the Arctic. Shuvinai’s work was first included in the Cape Dorset annual print collection in 1997 with two small dry-point etchings entitled Interior (97-33) and Settlement (97-34). Since then, she has become a committed and prolific graphic artist, working daily in the Kinngait Studios.