Drawings by Napachie Pootoogook (1938 - 2002)

During the last five years of her life, Napachie Pootoogook dedicated herself to creating a series of drawings that documented life as it was in her young days. These drawings constitute one of the finest and most comprehensive first hand accounts of people, customs, events, social relationships and legends of Inuit life at that time. The subject matter sometimes includes customs or events that have not been discussed openly for many years; for example, the terror that was felt by a young woman as she was carried off by a man to become his wife. This occurred to the artist as well as to all women who married; it was the custom of the people.

Some drawings depict real shamans who were considered to be very powerful and are performing acts that demonstrate their great power. They also deal with play, hunting, or with customs that few westerners have heard of: men cutting the winds with knives, for example. There are men who survive a dunking in the cold sea and men who are sighting Sedna, the famous sea goddess of Inuit lore. Napachie's family is shown walking with a child (Napachie perhaps?) in tow on a sled.

A very strong energy emanates from these works. Napachie's skilled draftsmanship is enhanced by the stark contrast of black (felt tip pen) on white paper, with intermittent subtle coloration (pencil -- no colored felt tip pens were used). They are dynamic yet well balanced. Inuktitut text at the bottom of each drawing explains what is shown. Napachie felt a strong need to document for posterity life as it was in her youth, not only in images, but with textual description.

Leslie Boyd Ryan and Darlene Coward Wight co-curated an exhibit of Ms. Pootoogook's drawings which has been shown at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and will be traveling to other locations. We strongly encourage you to see this exhibit if at all possible. A catalogue entitled Napachie Pootoogook is available from the Winnipeg Art Gallery.