Tunnillie, Oviloo

Oviloo Tunnillie, RCA, was a Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU, sculptor who defied convention. Tunnillie had a particular focus on women, autobiographical carvings and taboo subjects, creating a unique and important collection of work. She was known to engage in difficult subject matter, focused on contemporary women in the North and their struggles. Tunnillie is one of few Inuit female carvers to achieve international success, with many solo and group exhibitions across North America and internationally. In 2003, she was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy and her work is held in collections such as the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto and the Canada Council Art Bank in Ottawa, ON.