Johnny Mathewsie

Iqaluit

Johnny Mathewsie is an artist descended from long line of artists before him: his father, Qiatsuq; his uncle, Padlaya Qiatsuq; his grandfather, master carver Lukta Qiatsuq; and his great-grandfather, the renowned Kiakshuk. His grandfather taught him to carve at the age of 12, and since the age of fifteen, he has been supporting himself almost exclusively through carving. In keeping with family tradition, Johnny occasionally carves shamanistic pieces, and his work stylistically shows the influence his family has had on his carving. His work manifests artistic integrity. Johnny is in the beginning stages of a promising artistic career, and his work has already garnered much attention.