Latcholassie Akesuk
Canadian Inuit, Kinngait, Cape Dorset, 1919 - 2000
Latcholassie Akesuk ᓚᓴᓚᓯ ᐊᑲᓴ
(1919-2000)
Inuit Disc Number E7-1055
Son of the well-known carver and printmaker Akesuk Tudlik, Latcholassie became a sculptor himself. Born in 1919 on Anatalik Island, he then lived in Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Nunavut where he began carving in the early 1950s. His distinctive, minimal stone carvings frequently depict animals, often owls.
Latcholassie’s granddaughter, Saimaiyu Akesuk, was influenced by her grandfather’s images, remarking in the Fall 2017 issue of Inuit Art Quarterly that “My late grandfather Latcholassie Akesuk’s carvings came to my mind. He used to make his birds, so that’s what I drew. I draw them from my mind; I don’t need to look at photos or books. I used to find them kind of funny because I didn’t understand the concept of art as a kid. I always think about him now, when I am doing my art. It seems like every time I draw there is a little bit of him there.”
In 1970, the Canadian Eskimo Arts Council held an exhibition in Yellowknife titled “Sculpture” that coincided with a visit from Queen Elizabeth II. The group exhibition included sculptures from multiple arctic communities, and one of Latcholassie’s carvings won a second-place award, which he was present to receive from the Queen. Latcholassie’s work is held by various art institutions including the National Gallery of Canada. He passed away in 2000.
(1919-2000)
Inuit Disc Number E7-1055
Son of the well-known carver and printmaker Akesuk Tudlik, Latcholassie became a sculptor himself. Born in 1919 on Anatalik Island, he then lived in Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Nunavut where he began carving in the early 1950s. His distinctive, minimal stone carvings frequently depict animals, often owls.
Latcholassie’s granddaughter, Saimaiyu Akesuk, was influenced by her grandfather’s images, remarking in the Fall 2017 issue of Inuit Art Quarterly that “My late grandfather Latcholassie Akesuk’s carvings came to my mind. He used to make his birds, so that’s what I drew. I draw them from my mind; I don’t need to look at photos or books. I used to find them kind of funny because I didn’t understand the concept of art as a kid. I always think about him now, when I am doing my art. It seems like every time I draw there is a little bit of him there.”
In 1970, the Canadian Eskimo Arts Council held an exhibition in Yellowknife titled “Sculpture” that coincided with a visit from Queen Elizabeth II. The group exhibition included sculptures from multiple arctic communities, and one of Latcholassie’s carvings won a second-place award, which he was present to receive from the Queen. Latcholassie’s work is held by various art institutions including the National Gallery of Canada. He passed away in 2000.