Latcholassie Akesuk
1919–2000 Kinngait, NU
I was never into art. I found it very boring. I was taking a class with Ningiukulu Teevee, and I would doodle and colour during class. She kept bothering me and asking me to get paper, so one day we went to the co-op shop together and that’s when I started drawing. When I got home, I stared at my paper for two or three hours and didn’t know what to do. My late grandfather Latcholassie Akesuk’s carvings came to my mind. He used to make his birds, so that’s what I drew. I draw them from my mind; I don’t need to look at photos or books. I used to find them kind of funny because I didn’t understand the concept of art as a kid. I always think about him now, when I am doing my art. It seems like every time I draw there is a little bit of him there. I think a lot about my art—who inspired me and who was an artist when I was a kid. My step-grandfather is Qavavau Manumie, and I used to watch him drawing and colouring when I was younger, so I think he has inspired me in some way too. –