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What is WarkInuit?
We are a virtual gallery and Ontario-registered business that focuses on Inuit fabric wallhangings, also known as “works of art on cloth”, or in the Baker Lake, Nunavut dialect of Inuktitut, as “nivingajuq” (something to hang on the wall). The business has been established out of respect for the artists and their works, as a way to help this distinctive form of art to flourish.
Why Focus on Wallhangings?
Most Inuit art galleries focus on sculptures, and to a lesser extent, on prints and drawings. Most do not carry wallhangings, and when they do, their stock is limited. Nevertheless, the beauty and attraction that this art form has for a dedicated group of collectors is well established. Inuit wallhangings also provide a spectacular complementary backdrop to Inuit carvings displayed on shelves or in cases.
It appears that no Inuit art gallery has ever dealt exclusively with wallhangings. WarkInuit fills that niche, without the distractions of other Inuit art forms. The talent and long hours of labour invested by these mainly female artists deserves to be recognized and the work they produce promoted as a unique category of Inuit art.
Inuit Wallhanging Artists
The Canadian government's Inuit artist biography database is, unfortunately, no longer being updated. It listed 234 wallhanging artists; half from the two leading wallhanging communities: Baker Lake (67 artists) and Arviat (50 artists).
To inquire about Inuit artist biographies, contact:
The Inuit Art Centre
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H4
Types of Wallhangings
The most common form of wallhanging has felt appliqués and embroidery floss hand-stitching on a backing of either duffle (heavy wool cloth) or stroud (a lighter wool cloth). Some artists have used sewing machines for part of the stitchwork, though this is quite rare.
Wallhangings made entirely, or partly, of sealskin used to be created in various communities in Nunavik (Arctic Quebec), as well as in the Nunavut communities of Holman and Kugluktuk (formerly Coppermine), but this artform seems to have died out. Wallhangings containing beadwork and caribou bone faces are characteristic of the community of Arviat. Tapestry wallhangings are woven in Pangnirtung.
What does WarkInuit Offer?
We offer wallhangings in a range of sizes, colours and prices by artists (living and deceased) from various communities. Viewing of items in our inventory, in person, can be arranged by appointment. We will travel to acquire collections of quality vintage wallhangings.
If you are interested in selling your Inuit wallhangings to WarkInuit or looking to give new life to your Inuit art collection by trading wallhangings, please contact us at tel (613) 839-0210 or by email.
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