Josie Pootoogook

Kinngait (Cape Dorset)

Josie Pootoogook was born in 1959, and her parents were Ishoqangitok and Paulassie Pootoogook.

There are four brothers and two sisters in her family and practically all of them are artists.  Paulassie was a well known sculptor, and her brother Itee Pootoogook as well as her sister Malaiya Pootoogook were graphic artists.  Her three other brothers are carvers.

While beginning to draw during her school years, she continued on with graphic arts into adulthood.  Her Uncle Kanaginak Pootoogook was her inspiration as she admired his drawings. Napachie Pootoogook, her aunt, and Annie Pootoogook, her cousin  were influential to her as well.

In 2014/2015, Josie sold her first drawing and she’s been producing works for Co-op ever since and she primarily enjoys drawing animals as well as present and past life.