Artist Info
Barnabus Akkanashoonark (Arnasungaaq)
Barnabus Akkanashoonark (Arnasungaaq) ᐸᓇᐸᓯ ᐊᓇᓴᒐ
(1924-2017)
Inuit Disc Number: E2-213
Arnasungaaq was born in Nunavut in 1924 and settled in Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake). There he started his art practice, and became an early and influential carver of black stone in the region in the 1960s. While he identified himself as a carver which he is most known for, he also produced both drawings and prints. His art was first included in the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s “Eskimo Carvers of Keewatin, N.W.T.” exhibition in 1964. Over his career, his sculptures have been in over 100 shows internationally. His wife, Fanny Arngnakik, was also a carver and graphic artist and their children, David and Norman, became sculptors as well.
When describing his process, Barnabus stated that "I don't know where I get my ideas, ..., because it's all in your mind. It's you that carves. I look inside myself. Sometimes, before going to bed, I examine the stone, carefully. And in the morning I know what it will be." The advice he had for future Inuit artists was, "To the new generation of Inuit carvers...I recommend this: carve the way your want, and not the way the white man tells you - remember you are an Inuk." In 2017, Arnasungaaq died at the age of 93.
Accomplishments:
His work has been shown in over 100 group and solo shows, in the United States, Germany, Switzerland, France and Canada
His work is in permanent collections such as: the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the McMichael Canadiana Art Collection.
