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MIKPIGA, Annie
- Born
- Povungnituk, Quebec, 1900
- Died
- Povungnituk, Quebec, 1984
- Biography synopsis
- Annie Mikpiga (Mikpigak/Nuvalinga/Mikpica/Innerjuak/Mikiagag/Mikpigaq/Mikica/Mikika/Nikpiga/Nutaraaluk) was a prolific Inuit printmaker and artist. Born in Akua near Povungnituk (Puvirnituq), Mikpiga created over seventy-seven series of engravings utilizing two printing-stones. Mikpiga spent much of her time living between Povungnituk and Akulivik (once called Cape Smith), leading a traditional nomadic lifestyle. After successfully exhibiting her first series in 1957 in the Arctic community of Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Mikpiga joined the Povungnituk Sculptor's Society in 1960. Beginning in 1962, the artist exhibited series of prints in Povungnituk until 1973. Afterwards, the artist's works toured in exhibitions across Canada, the United States and in Zurich, Switzerland. Many of Mikpiga's prints depict Inuit myths and legends revolving around encounters with the spirit world. Some also illustrate hunting scenes set against abstract backgrounds. In 1978 and 1979, Mikpiga's works were featured in the annual Povungnituq calendars. Mikpiga is also known for her stone carvings. The artist's work can be found in several collections, including the Canadian Museum of History, the National Gallery of Canada and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Her son, Echalook Nutaraluk (1941-) is a carver currently residing in Povungnituk.
- Media used
- Engraving
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- File & Archive locations
- University of British Columbia - Fine Arts Library
- Art Gallery of Ontario - Edward P. Taylor Research Library and Archives
- Library and Archives Canada, ON - Peter Winkworth Collection of Canadiana
- Canadian Museum of Civilization Archives, QC
- Canadian Women Artists History Initiative Documentation Centre, QC
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
Writings about- Arts and Culture of the North (Organization). Arts and Culture of the North, Volumes 17-26 Madison, Wisconsin: Arts and Culture of the North, 1984
- Barz, Sandra Buhai. Inuit Artists Print Workbook New York: Arts and Culture of the North, 2004
- Blakeman, Evelyn. "In Memoriam: Annie Mikpiga." Inuit Art Enthusiasts Newsletter 1.25 (Jan. 1985)
- Cochran, Bente Roed. "Arctic Animals Theme for Exhibition." Edmonton Journal (4 Jul. 1978)
- Crandall, Richard C. Inuit Art: A History Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland, 2000
- Eisemon, Thomas Owen; Hart, Lynn M.; Ong'esa, Elkana. Stories in Stone: Soapstone Sculptures from Northern Quebec and Kenya Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec, 1988
- Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau Québec. Povungnituk (Puvirnituq), 1960-1970 Retrospective Lévis, Québec: Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec, 1970
- Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec. Povungnituk Annual Print Collection/Collection de gravures de Povungnituk Canada: Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec, (1962-1974, 1984)
- Furneaux, Patrick & Rosshandler, Leo. Arts of the Eskimos: Prints Montreal: Signum Press and Oxford University Press, 1974
- Heller, Jules and Nancy. North American Women Artists of the Twentieth Century New York: Garland, 1995
- Hessel, Ingo and Dieter. Inuit Art: An Introduction Michigan: Harry N. Abrams, 1998
- Larmour, W.T.. Innunit: The Art of the Canadian Eskimo/L'art des Esquimaux du Canada Ottawa: Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, 1967
- Montana State University. Canadian Eskimo Art: A Representative Exhibition from the Collection of Professor and Mrs. Philip Gray Bozeman, Montana: Montana State University, 1979
- Myers, Marybelle ed. "A Brief History of Printmaking in Arctic Quebec." Povungnituk 1976 Prints/Estampes Canada: Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec, 1976
- Myers, Marybelle Mitchell. Things Made by Inuit Québec: Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau Québec, 1980
- National Museum of Man. The Inuit Print/L'estampe inuit Ottawa: National Museum of Man, 1982
- Roch, Ernst ed. Arts of the Eskimo: Prints Montreal: Signum Press, 1974
- Saucier, Celine. Le refus de l'oubli: Femmes-sculptures du Nunavik Quebec: L'Instant meme, 1998
- Saucier, Céline & Kedl, Eugen. Image inuit du Nouveau-Québec Québec: Musée de la civilisation, 1988
- Simard, Cyril. Artisanat Quebecois Montreal: Les Editions de l'Homme, 1975
- Société coopérative de Povungnituk. Povungnituk Québec: Société coopérative de Povungnituk, 1989
- Société coopérative de Povungnituk. Povungnituk Québec: Société coopérative de Povungnituk, 1965
- Van Raalte, Sharon. "Inuit Women and Their Art." Communiqué (Apr. 1975): 21-23
- Volkerkundmuseum der Universitat Zurich. Kunst aus der Arktis Zurich, Switzerland: 1994
- Wight, Darlene. Winnipeg Collects: Inuit Art from Private Collections Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1987
