Artist Statement: In Community
Learn more about the symbolism in Pillaktuaq’s piece “In Community.”
In Community
Artist Name: Annie Pillaktuaq
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 36” x 48” x 1.5”
Unframed
In Community illustrates Pillaktuaq’s understanding of community through her interpretation of Inuit traditions and stories. Pillaktuaq’s community is one that includes human, animal, ancestors and the spirits that roam the Earth. In this understanding, anything that makes you feel or teaches you something is apart of her community. This includes elements of the natural world, such as the Sun, Air, Water, all of which can evoke emotions are members of Pillaktuaq’s community. Pillaktuaq represents Earthly spirits using colours like purple, dark blue, and red. The abstract figures in the center represent that Inuit community surrounded by ancestors, animal guides, Earthly spirits, and physical, as well as fantastical elements.
Artist Statement: Traditional Art
The symbolism in Pillaktuaq’s piece, “Traditional Art.”
Artist Name: Annie Pillaktuaq
Medium: Mixed media and acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 36” x 48” x 1.5”
Unframed
Pillaktuaq playfully takes the idea of Inuit “traditional art” and stylises it with her unique contemporary character. She juxtaposes traditional motifs and images such as the igloo, qulliq, and land, in the space of abstract ancestors, animal spirits, as well as other land spirits.
Not Our Ancestor’s Wealth
It all begins with an idea.
Not Our Ancestor’s Wealth
Artist Name: Annie Pillaktuaq
Medium: Mixed media and acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 36” x 48” x 1.5”
Unframed
In Not Our Ancestor’s Wealth, Pillaktuaq defines what she considers wealth versus what capitalism expects us to believe is wealth. Society is fed that “wealth” comes in the form of money and natural resources, specifically, she shows diamonds, silver, and gold, reflecting mines located in Nunavut. For Pillaktuaq, knowledge, strong relationships, and community are also wealth. Pillaktuaq positions the ancestors, as represented by the blue wing, showering us in knowledge and morals (shown as gold droplets). Below she shows us different faces of people representing the Inuit, members of her community, symbolizing the rich relationships that only a shared tradition and history can cultivate; alongside horns of colour on the left as a symbol of diversity and connections to all communities.
A Culture of Wealth
A Culture of Wealth
60" x 48"
Mixed media and acrylic on canvas
“A Culture of Wealth” is a reflection on the ways in which capitalism has changed and disintegrated many areas of Inuit culture. In this work, Inuit myths, such as Sedna, are reinterpreted, while ancestors and spirits watch over us as we (Inuit) learn to process these influences and reconnect with our culture.