Nunavut directory art tells a story of motherhood, amautis, and unchanging skies.
When Kataisee Attagutsiak created the 2022 Northwestel Directory Art contest winner Honouring Our Mothers "The Knowledge Givers”, she did it to both celebrate traditional Inuit knowledge, and to pass it on. That’s why when Attagutsiak paints amautis, she does it with the responsibility of knowing it could one day serve for a pattern.
“If I am going to be representing Inuit woman’s clothing, then I have to replicate it exactly as it’s made. What if someone sees my drawings and they decide to make it in the same way?”
Kataisee originally submitted her entry to this year’s contest to keep a promise. After her great granddaughter had walked away with a prize at a local art contest, Kataisee pledged that she would find her own art contest to win. Because of that promise, she didn’t even consider she wouldn’t win.
“When my great granddaughter won a local art contest, I told her I would win an art contest too. I was so determined to win, I almost knew I was going to win. So I entered and - I won!”
Kataisee Attagutsiak’s confidence isn’t misplaced – she previously won the Northwestel Directory Art contest in 2015.
Honouring Our Mothers “The Knowledge Givers” is inspired by motherhood and the passing on of knowledge. It was especially inspired by Kataisee’s 101 year-old mother, Qapik, who she now takes care of. Kataisee grew up seeing her mom create amautis – a traditional Inuit baby carrier.
“My mom makes the most beautiful clothing in the world. We’re all so privileged to wear and learn from them”
Qapik Attagutsiak – Kataisee’s mother and crafter of the traditional Inuit clothing worn by 5 generations of her family - including Kataisee and Nala.
When she was young, Kataisee took her turn being the passenger in an amauti. Later in life, she had the opportunity to be the driver – carrying her own boys, granddaughters, and eventually, great granddaughters.
In Honouring our Mothers, The amauti takes centre stage on top of a canvas of blue sky and enduring stars. As she was painting, she thought of tradition. The tradition of motherhood and the tradition of all the babies that were carried until they could walk on their own – all under the same stars her ancestors had been under. With all that in mind, Kataisee knew the amauti had to be perfect, so she got feedback straight from the expert.
“It’s a privilege to do art when my mom is around – she is the one to tell me if what I’ve painted is correct. She’s the one to tell me if it’s a good replication of the amauti that’s passed on for time immemorial”
When Kataisee’s mom saw a nearly finished version of Honouring Our Mothers, she laughed and said “You did it – you made it perfect”.
Honouring Our Mothers "The Knowledge Givers" - The Nunavut directory art winning submission
As the winner of the directory art contest, Kataisee receives a $5000 prize from Northwestel.
For over 30 years, Northwestel has published rich northern art on the covers of our directories. The land we live in inspires all of us in different ways. From abstract interpretations of northern tales to realistic recreations of arctic landscapes, we admire and celebrate the creativity of those who make up our North.
Meet our 2022 directory art winners :
Thinking about submitting your artwork for next year’s directory art competition? Visit our Directory art page and keep an eye out for the 2023 contest, opening in September.
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