Home > Artist Database > Bio-bibliographic Database > MIKPIGA, Annie

Artist Database

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
AboriginArt Galleries. "Annie Mikpiga (Nutaraaluk; Nuvalinga; Mikiagag; Mikpigak; Mipica; Anni; Innerjuak; Nikpiga; Aani)." Inuit.net 1995
http://inuitarteskimoart.com/artists/b-inuitarteskimoart-Mikpiga_Annie.html
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

Search by: