2025 Cape Dorset Print Collection

The official opening is Saturday, October 18, 2025

Foreword

Many hands bring you the collection every year: the artists, the printmakers, the administrators, the gallerists. A network of passionate people devote themselves to the act of creating and disseminating the art of Kinngait. This year I’d like to take you into Kinngait Studios and introduce you to the core staff who, every day, work together to amplify and transform each artist’s voice into these prints. Labour, love and care went into each sheet of paper, each image, and each message. Now, we are entrusting this work to you, to bring these artworks into your life, to be the next set of hands to hold them.

In the morning, Niveaksie Quvianaqtuliaq arrives before everyone else. He keeps an eye on the studio and has great vision for the future. There is always a next project, idea, or technique to try. When I ask him what kind of image he’d like to work on next he replies “something challenging.”

Salomonie Ashoona has been working with Niveaksie as Assistant Lithographer for four years. Last year he printed his first edition with Niveaksie’s guidance, and this year he has printed two! He mixes ink in big pools of glowing colour.

Nuyaliak Quvianaqtuliaq (NQ) moves through the studio quickly with a stack of proofs for the artist and team to look at. I put them on the wall and we stand back to assess. There is a moment of tension as we take it in. Sometimes it is a clear “That one!” from the artist and at other times it is a longer conversation, but it always ends with NQ gathering up the proofs and jumping back to action, working with determination and enthusiasm.

Cee Pootoogook shines when carving complex images with many fine lines. He chisels into the slate (used as the printing matrix) with focus and precision. When I ask how he is doing with a particularly daunting image he says, “I’m having fun...maybe too much fun!”

Qavavau Manumie melds old ways of working with new ideas and experiments. We flip through old print catalogues, and he shows me how the images were printed. We discuss how to bring these practices into new projects. When, after much head-scratching and problem solving, a print comes together, he says “you can dance.” – And we do!

Josie Ragee is always in motion, keeping the studio clean, and making sure there are cookies on Wednesdays and coffee always. We owe our bright and cheerful workplace to his hard work.

Emaataluk Saggiak looks out the window for his airplane. He is constantly packing and unpacking; supplies come in and art goes out. With much bubble wrap, he ensures that the artwork is safely tucked into crates and sent out on today’s flight.

Ashley Qavavau works in the office and the studio. Her role is constantly shifting as she bravely steps up to meet every challenge with an “of course!” and “I love this job!”

Joemee Takpaungai enters the studio in a gust of joy, jokes, and songs with improvised lyrics about those around him. He is everywhere at once, talking to the printmakers, buying artwork from artists, providing feedback, translating documents, packing up prints, giving tours to visitors. We work closely together to meet the ever-changing needs of the studio. His joy is infectious and his ideas are strong.

At the end of the day, I’m usually the last to leave. When the studio is quiet and empty and I’m no longer leaping from task to task, I feel an immense pride for our small team. I’m honoured to work alongside this remarkable group of people.

Audrey Hurd Kinngait Studios