Inuk artists featured in Uummaqutik exhibit at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is unveiling a new presentation of their Inuit Art collection on Nov. 8, called Uummaqutik, Essence  of life. The focus is on the rhythms of life particular to the circumpolar Inuit homelands. 

The exhibit features the simple and extraordinary moments of life.

“They tell distinct and interesting parts of, Inuit culture,” said asinnajaq, artist and guest curator. “When I saw these specific artworks, there was something special that was beyond their representation and there was something about the way they feel.”

“Here we have the suspended textile work that is a photo of the landscape around his home of Ivujivik,” they said. “It makes me feel so like grounded and happy to have it as such a huge anchor point for this exhibition.”

The mediums are plentiful with prints, drawings, textile works, photographs, paintings, sculptures and installations.

This glass cast qulliq was a commissioned piece for the exhibit.

“The qulliq is our oil lamp that is one of the many elements that makes life possible for us over these, you know, so many years,” said asinnajaq.

It’s really so special and touching to be able to have such a beautiful rendition of a qulliq, also to be the heart of the exhibition, because it’s what keeps the house warm. So I hope it will keep everyone welcome when they come to this exhibition.”

Asinnajaq included texts that accompany the artwork.

“You’ll notice the short text that are quite poetic” said Léuli Eshrāghi, curator of Indigenous Practices at the MMFA. “The big change for this exhibition is that it’s not an outsider looking in, instead it’s coming from within and sharing outwards.”

The idea of transformation was in asinnajaq’s thoughts as she selected works of art.

” I just really love this piece,” they said, moving towards a sculpture of a man pulling out a tooth.

“I think one thing that we also don’t think a lot about is that that is transformation,” said asinnajaq. “I think that it’s one of these like weird things where losing our teeth and pulling our teeth out,  is something that like almost all of us can connect with, so I thought it was really fun and a must have in the exhibition.”

Over the next five years, 120 works of art by 70 Inuk artists will be rotated in the newly renovated galleries of the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion. 

“I’m just really excited for Montrealers and other visitors to come and spend time with them and get to know them and discover a part of ourselves while we’re with them.”