Kinngait Textiles Textile Museum of Canada
The graphic cotton and linen textiles are a physical record of a relatively short-lived experimental initiative undertaken by Inuit artists in the early days of the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative.
When Dorset Fine Arts approached the Textile Museum of Canada (TMC) with an offer to donate a little-known, rare collection of textiles produced by and featuring the imagery of Inuit artists, their response was swift and enthusiastic. Since the donation in 2017, the TMC has been preparing an exhibition that will open in Toronto, ON, in late 2019, before touring to the Kenojuak Cultural Centre in Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU, among other venues in Canada, from 2020 to 2021. We spoke to exhibition curator Roxane Shaughnessy about the show and her desire to hear from the public about these unique materials: Up to this point our research has focused on a collection of Inuit printed textiles made at Kinngait Studios, in Nunavut, in the 1950s and 1960s. The graphic cotton and linen textiles are a physical record of a relatively short-lived experimental initiative undertaken by Inuit artists and representatives of the Canadian government in the early days of the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative. Designs by well-known graphic artists Pitseolak Ashoona, CM, RCA (c. 1904–1983), Parr (1893–1969), Pudlo Pudlat (1916–1992) and others are featured in this collection. Many of the examples we have are incredibly bold and colourful and often resemble iconic prints by these artists. As well as being sold in yardage, the fabrics and their designs were used in home décor, garments and much more.
We’ve seen wonderful photos of garments, accessories and homewares, but the objects themselves have not yet materialized. In an effor t to broaden our research we are turning to you, the Inuit Art Quarterly readers. Please contact us if you have any documentation or memories related to this initiative. We would love to hear from you!