Kingwatsiak, Mikigak

Mikigak Kingwatsiak, a carver and printmaker from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU, is best known for his stone and marble sculptures featuring human figures and northern animals such as bears, birds and seals. Inuit mythological figures, such as the Arctic sea goddess Sedna, also frequently appear in his work. Many of Kingwatsiak’s carvings—and in particular, his drawings—are inspired by imaginary creatures. His father was a shaman, and Kingwatsiak grew up listening to many stories about his life. Art also flows through Kingwatsiak’s family. His brother, Iyola Kingwatsiak, was a noted carver and printmaker. His three sisters, Anna Kingwatsiak, Keeleemeeoomee Samualie and Tye Adla, were also talented artists. Kingwatsiak’s art has been featured in a variety of exhibitions at galleries and museums across Canada, as well as internationally in England, Germany and the United States. He twice appeared in the annual Cape Dorset Graphics collection exhibition (1960, 1961). Kingwatsiak is represented in several public collections including at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, ON, the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City, Michigan.