Arnaqu Ashevak

Inuit

(1956 - 2009)

Arnaqu was born near Cape Dorset on south Baffin Island in 1956.  He was the adopted son of Kenojuak and Johnniebo Ashevak.

Arnaqu began carving in the early 1980’s and is perhaps better known for his three-dimensional work.  He did not make simple carvings but rather constructions of various and often unconventional materials.  With assistance from the Inuit Art Foundation Arnaqu took a 5-week residency in 1981 at Banff Centre for the Arts where he worked with ceramics for the first time.  He has also participated in several printmaking workshops sponsored by the West Baffin Co-operative in Cape Dorset.