Ohotaq Mikkigak

Inuit

Ohotaq Mikkigak was born in Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada in 1936. He lived there until he passed away in 2014. His name is also sometimes spelled Ohotok, Ohuqtaq, or Ohotaq. 

He lived in Cape Dorset with his wife, Haunak, who is a well-known carver and traditional throat-singer. His mother was Surusimmitu Ohotok, and his father was Mikkigak.

Ohotaq began drawing in the early years of the print program in Cape Dorset. His print, “Eskimo Fox Trapper” was released in 1961. Once the program gained traction, he left the program for full-time work. He became a caregiver for the Peter Pitseolak School in Cape Dorset. After he retired from that position, he resumed drawing. His drawings gained traction quickly and were appreciated straightaway.

Ohotaq's first solo exhibitions were in 2010 when he was 74 years old, and in 2012 when he was 76 years old. He passed away in 2014.

From 2010-2013, Ohotaq was showcased in 8 different exhibitions.

His works are currently shown in gallery collections at the Brooklyn Museum, the Canadian Museum of History (Hull, Quebec), the Dennos Museum Cetner at Northwestern Michigan College, the Glenbow Museum (Calgary, Alberta), the Klamer Family Collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto, Ontario), the McMichael Canadian Art Collection (Kleinburg, Ontario), the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Québec, the National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa), the Arnold Aubert Vernon Inuit Collection at Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.), the University of Michigan Museum of Art (Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.), the Winnipeg Art Gallery (Winnipeg, Manitoba).