Luke Anowtalik (1932 - 2006) was an Inuk artist based in Arviat, Nunavut.[1]

Luke Anowtalik
Born1932
Died2006
Other namesAnautalik, Anowtelik, Annowtalik
Known forGraphic Arts, Sculpture
SpouseMary Ayaq Anowtalik

His work is included in the collections of the Winnipeg Art Gallery,[2] and National Gallery of Canada.[3]

Biography edit

Anowtalik was born near Ennadai Lake, Nunavut in 1932. After he and his younger sister Kunee (Rita) lost their parents to starvation, they were relocated to Churchill, Manitoba by trapper Charlie Schweder.[4][5] Luke and Rita's story is shared in the book No Man's River by Farley Mowat.[5]

Two years after the relocation, Anowtalik trekked by dogsled by himself back to Ennadai Lake where he was rescued by the family of Andy Aulatjut.[6] Anowtalik married Aulajut's daughter Mary Ayaq Anowtalik and the two were featured on the cover of Life Magazine's February 27th, 1956 issue with one of their children.[5][6][7][8]

Anowtalik and his family were forcibly displaced by the Canadian government to Nueltin Lake in May of 1950, to Hennik Lake in 1957, and later to Arviat in 1959.[8][9]

He began carving in 1962 when the arts movement began in Arviat.[9] Anowtalik frequently collaborated on sculptures with his wife.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ Foundation, Inuit Art. "Luke Anowtalik | IAQ Profiles". Inuit Art Foundation. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  2. ^ Nunatsiaq News (2012-08-28). "Winnipeg Art Gallery displays new collection of carvings by Inuit artists". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  3. ^ National Gallery of Canada. "LUKE ANOWTALIK".
  4. ^ "Luke Anowtalik". Inuit Gallery of Vancouver Ltd. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  5. ^ a b c Sanders, Carol (July 31, 2006). "Inuit woman making pilgrimmage to discover her tragic roots". The record. p. 12.
  6. ^ a b "LUKE ANOWTALIK (1932-2006) ARVIAT (ESKIMO POINT), People of the Caribou, c. 1999". First Arts. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  7. ^ a b Heller, Jules; Heller, Nancy G. (2013-12-19). North American Women Artists of the Twentieth Century: A Biographical Dictionary. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-63889-4.
  8. ^ a b Marcus, Alan R. (1995). Relocating Eden: The Image and Politics of Inuit Exile in the Canadian Arctic. Dartmouth College. ISBN 978-0-87451-659-3.
  9. ^ a b Kalluak, Mark (1995). Pelts to Stone: A History of Arts & Crafts Production in Arviat (PDF). Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. pp. 86–89. ISBN 0-662-20847-1.