Concordia co-hosts the first major gathering focused solely on Inuit visual arts since 2011
An upcoming symposium on Inuit art will mark the seventh and final year of Inuit Futures in Arts Leadership, led by former Concordia faculty Heather Igloliorte. The professor of visual arts at the University of Victoria has had the support of a partnership grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) since 2017.
From November 6 to 8, ᕿᓐᓂᕋᔮᑦᑐᖅ Qinnirajaattuq / Ripples: Making Waves in Inuit Art Symposium will coincide with the opening of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) new permanent Inuit art exhibition curated by Nunavimmiuk curator, artist and filmmaker asinnajaq.
Among the many events scheduled throughout Montreal is the launching of the publication associated with a recently unveiled exhibition at Concordia’s FOFA Gallery. Co-curated by Igloliorte and Taqralik Partridge with assistance from Jasmine Sihra, Ilagiit/Relatives features contemporary Inuit artists from throughout Inuit Nunaat.
From left: Taqralik Partridge and Heather Igloliorte.
Making Waves
In collaboration with the MMFA, Avataq Cultural Institute, La Guilde, Concordia, and the university’s FOFA Gallery, the Inuit Futures Symposium will be the first major gathering focused solely on Inuit visual arts since the Inuit Modern Symposium that took place in Toronto on February 4, 2011.
The three-day gathering will be an opportunity to take stock of all that happened since that crucial event 13 years ago. One especially exciting development, notes Igloliorte, is the direction of the conversation — the symposium is now entirely Inuit-led.
“All of the nearly 100 speakers and moderators will be Inuit,” Igloliorte says. “This must be a first for any conference. It’s exciting to be focusing on emerging Inuit voices — Elders and youth — from all aspects of the art world.”
The program is brimming with events, including panels, discussions, exhibition openings, curatorial talks, a gallery crawl, performances, vendors and workshops. Each underscores the multitudes, impact and reach of the ever-flourishing Inuit futures in art. Plus, a closing celebration at the PHI Centre will include performances by circumpolar women artists, curated by Tanya Lukin Linklater and featuring a set by DJ Andachan, based in Greenland.
Of the many highlights, on Wednesday, November 6, Beatrice Deer and Tanya Innaarulik will host a live recording of the podcast Northerned from Concordia’s 4TH SPACE. Interested listeners can also tune in remotely.
Dovetailing with the live recording, a vernissage will be held at La Guilde for Amisut. Curated by Ooleepeeka Eegeesiak, the exhibition features the print work of young and early-career artists from across Inuit Nunangat. The launch will be catered by Chef Swaniege and feature music by DJ Atamone.
In honour of International Inuit Day on November 7, the MMFA will host a Country Food Lunch that will include special performances. Earlier this same day, attendees will have the opportunity to preview the permanent exhibition, ᐆᒻᒪᖁᑎᒃ uummaqutik essence of life.
Relationships — to kin and to the land
On view until December 6 at Concordia’s FOFA Gallery, Ilagiit/Relatives invites visitors to reflect on ways of being in relation: to each other, in community, with the land, and with past and future generations.
Ilagiit/Relatives fills the entire gallery, including the York Vitrines, Main Space, Black Box and Courtyard spaces, and is visible from Ste. Catherine Street. The paintings, videos, clothing, photos, textiles and other practices all speak to kinship, respect and responsibility within Inuit contexts.
“I was a professor here for 11 years,” Igloliorte says. “And I remember walking past those big vitrines, and always thinking — what an amazing place for wearable art to be installed.”
The exhibition includes works by Inuit artists not just from Canada but Alaska and Greenland as well. It features many individual works as well as garments by Agguaq Collective and The Red Amautiit Project from Pauktuutit, the national representative organization of Inuit women in Canada.
“We’re extremely blessed to have these items, and the outfit worn at the Governor General’s inauguration that was made by Julie Grenier and Victoria Okpik, as well as garments that were custom-made for the exhibition.
“It’s exciting to see how Inuit clothing really embodies those relationships in so many different ways.”
Igloliore’s co-curator, Partridge, underscores the significance of displaying this artwork during the symposium: “It’s really an important moment for Inuit who are coming here — to see that work — because it’s so inspiring.”
Free for independent Inuit artists and priced low for students, registration is now open for ᕿᓐᓂᕋᔮᑦᑐᖅ Qinnirajaattuq / Ripples: Making Waves in Inuit Art. The many artist vendors — selling Inuit jewelry, art and more — will be accessible to the general public as of 1 p.m. on the opening day on the ninth floor of Concordia’s Molson (MB) Building.
“This is going to be a deadly conference,” Igloliorte says. “Rest up and wear comfy shoes because we’re going to be busy!”
The symposium, ᕿᓐᓂᕋᔮᑦᑐᖅ Qinnirajaattuq / Ripples: Making Waves in Inuit Art, will be held from November 6 to 8 at various locations throughout Montreal.
The exhibition catalogue for Ilagiit/Relatives will be launched on November 8 at 4 p.m. at Concordia’s FOFA Gallery (EV 1.715 at 1515 Ste. Catherine St. W.). Registration is open to the public and a special conference hotel rate is available until Wednesday, October 30.
