Mark Emerak

Mark Emerak was a graphic artist from Ulukhaktok (Holman), NWT. Born in 1901 near Cambridge Bay on Victoria Island, his parents were Alikamak and Komana. The family lived on the land and in 1914, Emerak met Diamond Jenness, an anthropologist with the Canadian Arctic Expedition, a team of researchers seeking to “record the last unmapped area of the Arctic.” Jenness later included a song written by Emerak in his anthology. Emerak married a widow named Napayualuk, and they relocated to the Minto Inlet area for hunting. After only one year of marriage, Emerak lost his wife to another man, in a show of strength against another man, a practice somewhat common amongst the Kitlinermiut (Copper Inuit). Emerak eventually remarried Odjok and they raised ten children on the land. Emerak moved his family into the community of Ulukhaktok in the early 1950s when his wife became ill, and the family remained there after her death.
Emerak began drawing later in life at the encouragement of Father Henri Tardy, in 1966. Emerak’s first drawing was of solely a bow and arrow; his drawings represent a rich record of his experiences on the land. He also depicted groups of people, reflecting the communal aspect of the Inuit lifestyle, and was particularly interested in shamanic activities. Emerak produced more than 900 drawings with 41 made into prints, though he never participated in printmaking himself. His works were included in a number of Holman annual print collections and have been exhibited across North America. His works have not yet been featured at the ULAG.