Art
How Calgary’s Kablusiak made Inuit art pop – Maclean's
The Inuvialuk artist’s oeuvre—complete with Furbies, soapstone tampons and satirical selfie backgrounds—has garnered plenty of attention, a bit of outrage and even a Sobey Art Award
(Photography by Allison Seto)
Artists run wild in Kablusiak’s family, on both sides. Their childhood homes in Yellowknife, and later Edmonton, were filled with relatives’ creations, including a painting of wild geese—a wedding present to their parents from Kablusiak’s uncle, Bill Nasogaluak, a famed Inuvialuk artist. “I didn’t get it then,” says Kablusiak, who busied their own tiny hands with crafts. “Now I know Inuit art collectors would’ve been foaming at the mouth.”
With genes like that, it was practically a given that Kablusiak—who jokes that they only use their English name, Jade, at Starbucks—would eventually move to Calgary to pursue an arts diploma and degree. But as a drawing major, Kablusiak says, being confined to a page quickly began to feel like “holding in a sneeze.” So they pushed the envelope—first in new mediums, then in taboo subject areas. Kablusiak’s breakthrough moment was a 2017 exhibition at Calgary’s Sled Island Music and Arts Festival, featuring soapstone carvings of tampons, cigarettes and a Diva Cup for good measure.
By 2018, Kablusiak had found representation with Calgary gallery Norberg Hall and, in 2021, co-curated the inaugural collection at Qaumajuq, the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s new Inuit art centre. They garnered buzz for their mould-breaking mash-ups of Inuit art history and Western pop culture, zeroing in on the painful displacement of, they say, “being from the North, but existing down south.”
There were smaller creations, like a spin on Ookpik, an owl figurine first popularized in the ’60s by Inuit artist Jeannie Snowball. (Kablusiak’s Ookpiks were Garfields and Furbies.) They also branched out into more sweeping, sombre installations. In 2021’s “Suviittuq!” or “Can’t be helped/Too bad!” an image of a Tuktoyaktuk cemetery hung on a wall, a background for visitors’ selfies. It poked at what Kablusiak calls the “pain spectacle” of news coverage of unearthed unmarked graves. “If I dress these things up with humour,” they say, “it’s like taking honey with a pill.” And the controversy that follows? “I get off on that.”
A photo of “TY Mr. Sobey,” one of Kablusiak’s installations at the Sobey Art Award Exhibition at the Art Gallery of Alberta. (Photo by Leroy Schulz)
Last November, just after their 30th birthday, Kablusiak won the prestigious Sobey Art Award—the first Inuvialuk artist to do so. They plan to put the $100,000 prize toward a home in northern Alberta, one with enough room for a studio. Anyone worried about Kablusiak selling out need only lay eyes on “TY Again, Mr. Sobey,” a soapstone statue of a figure pleading on bended knee—and surrounded by dollar signs—now on display at the National Gallery in Ottawa. It elicited a big reaction from grocery heir Rob Sobey. “He was moved, but also laughing,” Kablusiak says. “I didn’t expect that.”
POP QUIZ
Secret obsession: Stickers. “I became a member of the Sandylion Sticker Club at 16. Now, I only let myself have a couple of sheets.”
Working on: Canvas-and-cowhide parka covers
Wall art: “I have a couple of framed works from Inuk artists, like Darcie Bernhardt and Shuvinai Ashoona—some gifted, some bought”
Winter activity: Staying inside, mostly
McDonald’s order: “I’ve had it less since I discovered my gluten intolerance, but the fries are gluten-free!”
Ink well: Kablusiak’s tattoos include a tablurun, a traditional Inuit facial tattoo, as well as several DIY hand-poked creations
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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