Johnny Novalinga

(September 1, 1908 - 1979)

Johnny was famous for his navigational abilities. For years, while he worked as a clerk at the Hudson’s Bay Company, he would guide the supply ships through the tricky channel into Pov.

Although he had done some carving, 1978 was the first year that he had also become involved in printmaking. The summer before 1978, at a meeting of the printmakers, he said that he doubted his ability to make prints. But, since he had lived the old life, he could help by telling the printmakers what it was really like — how the animals really moved.

Although Johnny doubted his ability, his intuition proved to be wrong. He is well-known for his prints and for his sculptures.

He was married to the late Akenesie Novalinga (1910 - 1987), also a graphic artist.

Johnny’s work has been in many different exhibitions from 1951 - 1992, as well as many different private and public collections internationally.