Artist Info
Janet Uqayuittuq Kigusiuq
Janet Uqayuittuq Kigusiuq was a multidisciplinary artist from Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake), NU. Born at Putuqsuqniq camp, near Garry Lake, in Back River, NU in 1926, Kigusiuq is the eldest daughter of renowned artist Jessie Oonark. At the encouragement of Oonark, Kigusiuq began drawing in the 1960s. Over the course of her career, Kigusiuq worked with a variety of mediums, including fabric wall hangings, stone sculptures, and paper collages. Inspired by her knowledge of traditional Inuit life on the land and oral histories, Kigusiuq’s work portrays the everyday lives of her community.
Kigusiuq comes from a large family of artists, including siblings Victoria Mamnguqsualuq Kayuryuk (silkscreen and stencil), Josiah Nuilalik (sculpting), Nancy Pukirniq, Miriam Qiyuq (wall hangings and sculpting), Peggy Qablunaaq Aittauq (sculpting), Mary Yussipik, and William Noah (stencil and watercolour). Kigusiuq’s late husband, Mark Uqayuittuq was also a multidisciplinary artist and her father-in-law, Luke Anguhadluq was a respected graphic artist.
In 2002, Kigusiuq became a member of the Royal Academy of Arts and her works have been exhibited internationally.
