Akesuk, Latcholassie

Latcholassie Akesuk, son of well-known sculptor Tudlik, was born on Anatalik Island, near Markham Bay. Akesuk began carving primarily in stone, sculpting birds and animals. His work later became an inspiration to his granddaughter, Saimaiyu Akesuk, whose drawings have gained her an international reputation. Akesuk worked from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU, where he had a very prolific career. Leaning towards abstracted forms, Akesuk’s aesthetic expression was playful, with a softness derived from the curvilinear shapes he carved. At the same time his works maintained a visual weight, drawing attention to their solid and robust forms carved in stone. Akesuk often scratched small details into the surface in the form of eyes and feathers, inviting a closer look at his carvings. Akesuk’s long career national and international exhibitions of his work, which is now held in collections around the world, including at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, ON, The Museum of History in Gatineau, QC, and the Edmonton Art Gallery in Alberta.