Artist Info
Patrick Akovak
Patrick Akovak was a graphic artist and printmaker from Ulukhaktok (Holman), NWT. Akovak was born at Rymer Point in 1944. His father was Jørgen Klengenberg, the son of Christian Klengenberg, a Danish whaler and trapper, and his mother was Doris Mikigiak. Akovak’s sister is Ulukhaktok graphic artist Mona Ohoveluk. The family later moved to Read Island and Akovak married artist Elsie Klengenberg, daughter of artist Victor Ekootak.
Akovak eventually settled in Ulukhaktok and began sculpting at the encouragement of Father Henri Tardy. Experimenting with other forms of art, Akovak printed many of his own drawings from 1966 until his death in 1976. His drawings continued to be made into prints at the Holman Eskimo Co-operative (later the Ulukhaktok Arts Centre) until 1987. His drawings often depicted stories he heard as a child.
Akovak’s prints have been included in a number of the Holman annual print collections and his works have been exhibited internationally.
