Manasie Akpaliapik. Inuit Universe

The Museum will welcome Manasie Akpaliapik, a contemporary artist from Ikpiarjuk (Arctic Bay) on Baffin Island, Nunavut, for Inuit Universe, an exhibition dedicated to his work.

Conceived and produced by the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec and featuring sculptures from the late Raymond Brousseau’s remarkable collection of Inuit art, the exhibition will offer a unique look at the work of Manasie Akpaliapik. Considered one of the most gifted artists of his generation, he teases creations representing oral tradition, cultural values, the supernatural world, Arctic wildlife and the environment out of his preferred materials, stone and whale or caribou antlers.

Exhibition conceived and produced by the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.

Manasie Akpaliapik

With a career spanning four decades and art displayed in institutions such as the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of Civilization, and several private galleries, Manasie has created art inspired by his deep love for animals and for Inuit legends  and their narratives in which the relationship between humans and animals is one of mutual respect.

Manasie is a practised drum dancer, drum maker and is versed in kayak building. He continues to travel to the Arctic every year to search the shores for ancient whalebones and to connect with his family and community. He enjoys passing the Inuit legends to the younger generation and works tirelessly to keep the oral tradition of storytelling alive.

 “Everything that I am doing is trying to capture some of the culture of our traditions, about simple things like hunting, wearing traditional clothing, and using legends. I feel that the only way we can preserve the culture is if people see it.” Manasie Akpaliapik