Winnipeg Art Gallery

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Curator(s): Darlene Coward Wight, Curator of Inuit Art

Number of works: 13,000+ Inuit, 7,300 on loan from the Government of Nunavut

First work(s): Five sculptural works from Inukjuak were acquired in 1957 by former WAG Director Ferdinand Eckhardt, including Mother Sewing Kamik (Skin Boot) (1954) by Pinnie Naktialuk (1930-1969).

Recent acquisition(s): A selection of drawings from Kinngait (Cape Dorset) by Pudloo Samayualie, Ooloosie Saila and Ningiukulu Teevee, including a stunning new work titled There’s No Excuse for Abuse (2017).

Significant exhibitions: Group shows include Early Masters: Inuit Sculpture 1949-1955 (2006), Out of Tradition: Abraham Anghik/David Ruben Piqtoukun (1989) and Art & Expression of the Netsilik (2000). Major solo exhibitions include Napachie Pootoogook (2004), co-curated with Leslie Boyd, and, most recently, Oviloo Tunnillie: A Woman’s Story in Stone (2016).

Interesting/unique/surprising works in the collection: Our recent acquisition by Ningiukulu Teevee, There’s No Excuse for Abuse, is an unusual and powerful example of social commentary by the artist in its critique of spousal abuse and other details of everday Inuit life.

In 2017, the Winnipeg Art Gallery will open a solo exhibition of Ningiukulu Teevee’s graphic works at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC. Later in the year, we will open an exhibition of works by Pitaloosie Saila, RCA, guest curated by Susan Gustavison. To showcase the Government of Nunavut Fine Art Collection, Director Stephen Borys along with Eduardo de Silva will curate several key works in the new Iqaluit airport, including a series of murals that will be painted in the rotunda. Beyond this we will have SakKijâjuk: Art and Craft from Nunatsiavut at the gallery in 2019 and also all of the planning around the Inuit Art Centre! – DCW