Kiawak Ashoona O.C., R.C.A.
(1933-2014) — E7-1103
Born at the Tariugajak camp on Baffin Island on September 16, 1933, Kiawak Ashoona comes from a family of artists. His mother was Pitseolak Ashoona RCA (1904-1983) a graphic artist whose talent is still held in high esteem and whose daughter, Napatchie Pootoogook (d. 2003), contributed regularly to the Cape Dorset print collection. Kiawak's brothers, Koomwartok (1930-1984) and Kaka (1928-1996) were noted sculptors. Kiawak and his wife, Sorosilutu, had six children, two of whom are adopted.4
Kiawak's father, Ashoona, was one of the founders of Cape Dorset as an Inuit settlement. In his own way Kiawak was also a founder as he was one of the first in his community to carve. After living in Cape Dorset for a long time Kiawak returned to a traditional Inuit lifestyle on the land.
Kiawak was described as a "devout Christian" whose work depicted themes of traditional Inuit mythology and legends due to their popularity with southern buyers. It has been noted that his work is reflective to older cultural values and oral traditions and that his themes focus on: shamans, "Inuit mythology," story telling, hunting and other "traditional activities," as well as mother and child pairings.
The artist said: "When I carve it is hard for me to think what the carving is going to be. I will (then) start from the head. I try to put down a lot of details in the carvings that I do. Sometimes I carve from my imagination and sometimes I carve what I have seen in the past."
https://katilvik.com/browse/artists/734-kiawak-ashoona-oc-rca/
The pictures are an integral part of the description.
Please view them carefully and if you have any questions now is the time to ask.
