Tapestry 465 - “Family Travelling,” 2004, Elisapee Ishulutaq (Artist), Geela Keenainak (Weaver).

Weaving was introduced to the women of Pangnirtung thirty-five years ago. This is not a long period of time in the lifespan of an art form, but the success and continuing development of weaving in the Arctic is based on traditional skills that have been practised for thousands of years on the land. In tapestry weaving, these skills are recognized and remembered. Inuit women have always been excellent sewers. The welfare of Inuit families depended on their abilities to create hand-made clothing that was warm, wind-proof and water-tight. Traditional sewing is difficult and time-consuming - parkas and boots (kamiks) are made by carefully piecing skins and fur in complex patterns - and is renowned for its beauty and decorative qualities. The talents given to traditional sewing have been applied with enthusiasm and creativity to the demands of fine tapestry weaving. From the winter of 1970 when the first loom was introduced to three young novices, weaving has been practiced continuously in the Arctic at the Pangnirtung studios, and the number of full-time weavers has been as high as twelve or more. Others have taken up weaving in their homes, and weaving is taught in the schools and in public workshops. The success of tapestry weaving in Pangnirtung arises from the connection to traditional Inuit land skills, used in new ways for the benefit of the community and the preservation of our unique culture.

Pangnirtung Tapestries are created in 100% wool, purchased from international suppliers of specialty tapestry yarns. Weaving takes place principally on horizontal floor looms. The finished side of the tapestry faces the weaver, and the image is built up across the vertical warp threads in even rows, aligned with a beater. Where the color of the yarn changes in the tapestry, the horizontal weft threads are sewn back into the tapestry with a needle and the slits in the warp are carefully sewn closed. The result is an exceptionally smooth, firm finish to the tapestry. It is often pointed out to the Pangnirtung Weavers that this extra sewing and finishing is unusual, and could be eliminated with little apparent difference in the quality. The weavers will not hear of compromises to their technique, however, and the beautiful finishing of the tapestries continues as a hallmark of the Studio. In 1991 the Pangnirtung Tapestry Studio purchased a custom-made high warp loom. The Pangnirtung Weavers now also weave large-scale tapestries for public spaces, commissioned by corporations and other institutions.

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This page was last updated on Saturday June 10, 2006