March 16 Virtual Presentation on Pitseolak Ashoona

Our first virtual presentation is scheduled for the afternoon/evening of March 16. It will feature Napatsi Folger, who will speak about the work of Pitseolak Ashoona and her influence on contemporary Inuit art.

Pitseolak Ashoona, RCA (1904-1983), was one of the first legacy artists to produce work for the Kinngait Co-operative. Her command of color, versatility with limited materials, and incredible use of texture have influenced generations of artists. These include her own children and grandchildren, as well as other Kinngait graphic artists. Elements of Ashoona’s practice can be seen in the works of internationally renowned artists Ningiukulu Teevee and Shuvinai Ashoona.

Pitseolak Ashoona lived and created art during a time of significant transition and transformation in Inuit culture.  Folger will discuss the elements of Ashoona’s style and composition that are sometimes paralleled in contemporary Inuit art and how they tie into the shared experiences modern Kinngarmiut have with artists like her.

Napatsi Folger is an Inuk editor, comic artist, and writer of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s literature from Iqaluit, NU. She now lives in North Vancouver, BC and graduated from UBC with an MFA in Creative Writing in 2021.

Folger is the Tauttunnguaqti responsible for the creative vision at the Inuit Art Foundation. She was also the 2023-2024 Writer and Artist in Residence at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Her work has been featured in Momus, Studio Magazine, Maisonneuve, Carousel Magazine, Long Con Magazine, Walrus Magazine, and numerous other publications since 2011. Folger’s latest book, The Art and Life of Ningiukulu Teevee, was published in September 2023, and her first book, Joy of Apex, was published in 2011, both by Inhabit Media.

This virtual presentation will be held on Sunday, March 16 at 7 PM Eastern/6 PM Central/4 PM Pacific standard time. 

Members will automatically receive a link to attend. Not a member? Send a note to or leave a comment below for more information. These are usually member-only presentations, but we’ve decided to open this one to the public. We’d love to have you join us!