KinngaitSA国际影视传媒檚 Ningiukulu Teevee is already an accomplished artist, having had her work displayed in over 40 exhibitions and 10 solo shows around the world.
She could soon add another impressive achievement to her resume SA国际影视传媒� and pad her bank account in the process.
On May 19, the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq and the Inuit Art Foundation (IAF) revealed Teevee as the lone Nunavummiut among five finalists for the biennial Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award (KAMA), which celebrates Inuit artists.
The winner of the award SA国际影视传媒� and the accompanying $20,000 prize SA国际影视传媒� will be unveiled on September 22. In the meantime, the shortlisted artistsSA国际影视传媒� work is being showcased in a special exhibit in the gallery, which houses the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world.
SA国际影视传媒淚t is kind of mind-blowing to know that something I made is being seen by many, and exciting to know that itSA国际影视传媒檚 there in Winnipeg, where CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 largest Inuit art collection is found,SA国际影视传媒� Teevee said.
The theme of this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 shortlist exhibition is Anaanatta Unikkaangit, which translates to Our MotherSA国际影视传媒檚 Stories. It was selected by curator Marie-Anne Redhead.
SA国际影视传媒淪tories give you a sense of who you are,SA国际影视传媒� Redhead said. SA国际影视传媒淪tories teach you a lot about life. They teach you about customs and traditions and practices SA国际影视传媒� even subsistence practices. All of that is in the stories youSA国际影视传媒檙e told, that you inherit growing up.SA国际影视传媒�
TeeveeSA国际影视传媒檚 work fits right into this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 theme.
Her art is inspired by the stories she has heard and the place she calls home, and she aims to SA国际影视传媒減reserve and documentSA国际影视传媒� those things in each piece, admitting that she has felt a disconnect from her own culture in the past.
SA国际影视传媒淢y art is inspired by stories I have heard or read about and everyday life,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 important to help people outside the North understand Inuit culture. That is the goal.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淎t one point in my life I felt lost. I realized I looked and sounded like an Inuk, but I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 feel whole. I had no hunting or sewing skills, I wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 last out there [on the land] on my own.
SA国际影视传媒淚 needed to learn as much as I could about my culture to take back what I missed out on: a sense of identity and pride.SA国际影视传媒�
Teevee has some waiting to do before she learns if she won this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 award, and it is certainly a competitive field.
The shortlist is rounded out by NewfoundlandSA国际影视传媒檚 Billy Gauthier, Maureen Gruben of the Northwest Territories, Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona from Ontario, and AlbertaSA国际影视传媒檚 Kablusiak SA国际影视传媒� all SA国际影视传媒渧ery prominent artists,SA国际影视传媒� according to Redhead.
SA国际影视传媒淭hese shortlisted artists do traditional Inuit art in really interesting, contemporary ways,SA国际影视传媒� the curator said. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 something so brilliant about all of them.SA国际影视传媒�
Teevee, who already pocketed $5,000 for being shortlisted, admits winning the grand prize would alleviate some financial pressure. In fact, she has already given some thought to how she would spend her winnings.
SA国际影视传媒淲inning the KAMA would be awesome,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t would take off the financial strain a little bit.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淲e need a new outboard motor too,SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淪ustenance is our way of life so we need to be out there on the land and sea. That would be so awesome.SA国际影视传媒�
The winner of the 2023 KAMA will also receive a solo exhibition at the gallery in two yearsSA国际影视传媒� time, following a year-long residency. This yearSA国际影视传媒檚 award ceremony will coincide with the launch of a solo show from Coral HarbourSA国际影视传媒檚 Tarralik Duffy, who won the top prize in 2021.
