From left: Carnation (2021), Tarralik Duffy, Weird Trees (2019) All images Courtesy the artist

Congratulations to the winner of the 2021 Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award, Tarralik Duffy!

On September 8, 2021, artist Tarralik Duffy was announced as the second recipient of the prestigious Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award.

Tarralik Duffy is an Inuk artist, writer and designer from Salliq (Coral Harbour), NU, and currently based in Saskatoon, SK. From jewelry and apparel to graphic works, Duffy’s creative work shares distinctly Inuit experiences, often infused with a dose of both humour and pop culture. Her work was featured on the cover of the Inuit Art Quarterly’s Winter 2018 issue, Exchange, and her work will be exhibited in an upcoming solo show of new drawings at the Art Gallery of Guelph (2021), group show Atautchikun | wȃhkôtamowin at Remai Modern (Saskatoon 2021), and a show of new graphic works at SAW Gallery (Ottawa 2022).

Thank you to the 2021 jury members:

• Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory (2018 Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award Winner)
• Jocelyn Piirainen (Independent Curator and Artist)
• Ossie Michelin (Journalist)

From left: Kablusiak, Couzyn van Heuvelen and Eldred Allen All images courtesy the artists. Kablusiak photo Elyse Bouvier

2021 Shortlisted Artists

Introduced in 2021, the shortlist showcases the incredible, diverse talent of contemporary Inuit artists, and awards each $3,000. Learn more about the artists by clicking here. 

Eldred Allen is an Inuk photographer from Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, NL. 

Kablusiak is a renowned multidisciplinary Inuvialuk artist and curator based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary, AB). 

Couzyn van Heuvelen is an Inuk artist born in Iqaluit, Nunavut and living in Bowmanville, Ontario.

2018 Award Winner
Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory

Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory is an established multi-disciplinary artist based in Iqaluit, NU whose practice centres on uaajeerneq (Greenlandic mask dance) and also includes acting, curating, drum-dancing, music and writing. Williamson Bathory is a founding member and Artistic Director of Qaggiavuut! Society, which launched a capital campaign for a Performing Arts Centre in Nunavut. In addition to her performances in theatre, dance and poetry, she appeared in Tanya Tagaq’s Retribution (2016) music video and has been published in an anthology of Canadian Poetry titled "Pith and Wry." Bathory contributed to the Inuit Art Quarterly’s Spring/Summer 2014 and Summer 2016 issues as a writer and has been written about in many publications.

Kenojuak Ashevak Preening Owl (1995) Printer Arnaqu Ashevak Stonecut Reproduced with permission DORSET FINE ARTS © the artist

Making This Award Possible

The Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award is only possible through the generous support of donors.

You can help ensure the award’s future by joining this committed group of supporters and giving generously today. All donations made to the award will be matched by the Willmott Bruce Hunter Foundation, up to $20.000. Please give today and support the future of Inuit art.

How to Apply

The next Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award application cycle will begin in 2023. For more information, please contact:

Heather Campbell
Strategic Initiatives Director
647.498.7717 ext. 106
hcampbell [at] inuitartfoundation.org

For additional funding opportunities, please contact 
Heather Campbell
Strategic Initiatives Director
647.498.7717 ext. 106
hcampbell [at] inuitartfoundation.org