2023 Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award Winner: Ningiukulu Teevee

With her mesmerizing and distinctive artistic style, Inuit graphics artist Ningiukulu Teevee has emerged as a masterful storyteller through her captivating drawings and prints. Today, we at Coastal Peoples would like to celebrate her incredible accomplishments over the decades with particular note to her success as the 2023 Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award Winner!

Hailing from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), a small community nestled in Canada’s Arctic region, Teevee’s artwork offers a window into the rich cultural heritage of the Inuit people. Combining traditional themes with a contemporary twist, Teevee’s body of work preserves and celebrates her culture and resonates with a universal audience.

Teevee’s artistic style is characterized by its intricate detail, vibrant colours, and the fusion of traditional Inuit life with contemporary elements. Her artworks often depict scenes from everyday life in the Arctic and the strong connection between humans and nature. Through her drawings and prints, Teevee skillfully captures the essence of her community’s way of life while incorporating a touch of fantasy and imagination.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Teevee’s artwork is her ability to infuse her drawings with energy and movement. Whether it’s a dancing polar bear or a flock of migratory birds, her creations possess a sense of life and vitality that is truly enchanting. Teevee’s keen eye for detail ensures that each figure and element in her artwork is meticulously rendered, showcasing her unmatched skill and dedication to her craft.

Teevee embraces the storytelling aspect of Inuit culture, using her artwork as a medium to pass down ancient tales and spiritual beliefs to future generations. As she brings these stories to life, she connects the past with the present ensuring the preservation of her cultural heritage.

As a locally and globally recognized artist, her works have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, earning her a reputation as one of the leading contemporary Inuit artists. Teevee’s art bridges the Inuit community and the global art world, creating a platform for cultural exchange and understanding. By showcasing her culture’s traditions and values, she helps to dispel misconceptions and stereotypes, inviting viewers of all backgrounds to appreciate the beauty and depth of Inuit art.

Beyond her artistic endeavours, Teevee is also passionate about fostering creativity within her community. She has dedicated her time to mentoring young artists and sharing her knowledge and skills with the next generation. Through her guidance, she continues the cycle of artistic expression, ensuring that the Inuit legacy lives on in the hands and hearts of future artists.

Ningiukulu Teevee’s artistic contributions are an integral part of the rich cultural tapestry of the Inuit people. Her skillful visual storytelling and vibrant imagery transcend cultural boundaries, inviting viewers from around the world to appreciate the beauty, depth, and resilience of Inuit culture.