Tapestry Commissions
View a presentation on Tapestry Commissions
Achieving a Dream
2009
118.5" W x 68" H
Design by Andrew Qappik with contributing artists Dinah Anderson, Sammy J. Kudluk, Mabel Nigiyok and Louie Nigiyok
Woven by Kawtysie Kakee, Olassie Akulukjuk, Anna Etuangat, Leesee Kakee and Kathy Battye
Pangnirtung Tapestry Studios has been Commissioned by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami to Provide a tapestry for the 2010 Winter Games. The Uqqurmiut Centre has created a large tapestry inspired by four artworks selected through an adjudication process to represent each Inuit region. It will find a permanent home at the Richmond Olympic Oval through the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and leave a lasting legacy.
The images portrayed include the work of Inuit artists from Labrador to Inuvialuit. The ten foot wide by six foot high tapestry depicts a late winter scene of Olympic athletes, Inuit playing traditional games and a Inukshuk silhouetted against a northern landscape of meandering fiords bordered by snow topped hills. The lively colourful design by well known Pangnirtung graphic and print artist Andrew Qappik, includes images by Dinah Anderson of Labrador, Sammy J. Kudluk of Kuujjuaq Nunavik, Mabel Nigiyok and Louie Nigiyok of Uluhaktok and Andrew Qappik.
Weavers sitting in front of finished tapestry: Olassie Akulukjuk, Kawtysie Kakee, Anna Etoangat, Kathy Battye
The Pangnirtung weavers have long anticipated this opportunity to shine in a project of Olympic quality.
Kawtysie, Anna and David dressing the loom
The first step is to dress the loom with sturdy cotton warp threads.
Kawtysee with string heddles
The design is placed behind the loom and is transferred to the warp threads with indelible markers.
David Cochrane demonstrating a technique to Kawtysie and Anna
Master tapestry weaver David Cochrane was invited to Pangnirtung for a six week period to join the weaving team of Kawtysie Kakee, Anna Etuangat, Kathy Battye and Olassie Akulukjuk. The sharing of weaving practices in every aspect has enhanced the project. The Pangnirtung Studio is now one of only a small handful world-wide which employs tapestry weavers to interpret the work of contemporary artists. Another such Studio is the Dovecot in Edinborough Scotland where David works.
Colour interpretation
Pattern behind
The tapestry underway with the pattern clearly visible behind the loom.
Weaving 'Achieving a Dream'
'Achieving a Dream' took approximately 2,030 hours to weave. Team weaving requires great co-operative and collaborative skills between the weavers. The Pangnirtung weavers excel at it and are looking forward to more commissions.
Other Tapestry Commissions
Combs of our Ancestors
2009
Design by Germaine Arnaktauyok and Studio Weavers, Kawtysie Kakee,
Anna Etuangat, Geela Keenainak and Igah Etoangat
The tapestry weavers of the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts have been weaving limited edition tapestries for close to four decades. More recently the Studio has been creating unique mural tapestries designed for specific architectural spaces.
These are woven on our twelve foot wide ‘high beam’ tapestry loom. The weavers sit side by side, up to seven across, depending on the width of the tapestry.
Weavers working on mural tapestry Back Then based
on original artwork by Joel Maniapik, 2002
Weavers roll out almost completed Back Then tapestry to check their work.
Full-sized cartoon is on the back wall
The original design is enlarged to the size of the finished tapestry on a paper cartoon which is placed behind the vertical ‘warp threads’.
Geetee Maniapik and Jeannie Nakoolak work on scaling up the cartoon from the
origal water colour
Weaving begins
Weaving a large tapestry can take up to a year depending on the size. Many hands are employed at all stages of creation.
Weaver selects a colour shade from the chart made for Back Then
Weavers adjusting the 'warp' threads on the loom in preparation of beginning
The rolling of the large finished tapestry off of the loom is a community event.
The Printmakers have come over to see the nearly completed tapestry
Each large commissioned tapestry is ‘unveiled’ at a community ceremony. Commissioned Pangnirtung tapestries grace the walls and spaces of buildings in Nunavut.
Back Then
2002
120"H x 264" W
Joel Maniapik/Atalier
Legislative Assembly Lobby
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Panniqtuuq
1996
60"H x 120" W
Atelier
Pangnirtung Airport
Pangnirtung, Nunavut
Detail from Panniqtuuq
Our Ancestors Land is Our Land Now
1991
162"H x 90"W
Unikaarvik Centre Iqaluit Nunavut