Take a peek into our 14,000+ collection with our blog series, From the Vault! Every other week, we’re sharing interesting stories about one of our artefacts.
What is the provenance of this pair? When did they enter the BSM collection?
This work on paper titled The New Kamiks by Mayoreak Ashoona was acquired by the museum in 1982.
Are there any features that distinguish this work of art from the same period and geographical location?
As an artwork, this piece by Mayoreak Ashoona is unique to her yet shares similarities to other works she has created. Her work takes inspiration from her community and from the natural world around her. Ashoona is a well-known artist based in Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Nunavut and she is known for her ink and coloured pencil work. Many of her drawings have also been made into prints.
Can you elaborate more on the subject of this artwork?
The subject of this work is the completion of a new pair of kamiks. We see the back of a seamstress who holds the new pair on her hands. In front of her are the kamik-making tools that she used to create the boots. Ashoona was not only an accomplished visual artist, she was also a seamstress and her work making kamiks surely informed this piece.
