From North Carolina to Pangnirtung: art forges lasting bond

MICHAELA RODRIGUE
Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT — H.G. Jones is not an artist and he knows little about art.

But for 27 years, the North Carolina historian has travelled north to Pangnirtung to add to his one-of-a-kind art collection.

Jones owns the only complete set of cataloged prints by Pangnirtung artist Andrew Qappik.

“I’m not an artist, I’m a historian and I know little about art, but the thing that impressed me was that much of the art attempts to recapture some of the history and culture of the Inuit,” Jones said during a telephone interview from Pangnirtung.

Each year the Uqqurmiut Inuit Artists Association releases a collection of prints by Pangnirtung artists. And each year, Jones purchases hand-picked copies of the Qappik prints. Jones recently completed another trip to Pangnirtung to pick up the latest additions to his prized collection.

To date he has 69 prints, which he places in “Andrew’s Room” at his home in North Carolina.

Jones, 75, is a former history professor at the University of North Carolina. A picture of the Pangnirtung Fiord lured him to the Canadian Arctic in 1972. It was during that trip that the American first developed an appreciation for Inuit art and history.

But it wasn’t until 1978 that Jones first noticed the work of Andrew Qappik, who was then14 years old . Once again it was the depiction of Inuit ways in the past that attracted Jones.

“My interest, naturally, was in the history. His prints are a way of conveying that history. He’s transmitting that to the young people,” Jones said.

A life-long southerner, Jones did not fall in love with the North right away when he first ventured up to Point Barrow on Alaska’s North Slope.

“My first reaction was, why do these people stay up here?” Jones said. “After all, they could go south where they have trees and sunshine and all sorts of modern conveniences.”

Jones said he has since realized that different lifestyles appeal to different people, and he developed a respect for the hardships overcome by Inuit.

Jones has since taken his love of Inuit culture and Qappik’s artwork to people throughout the United States.

Jones regularly speaks at conferences on Arctic art and his collection of Qappik prints has been shown at North Carolina University. Last year, Jones published a booklet on Qappik’s work.

“It was interesting to see people who were interested in art generally, or interested in African art, suddenly be confronted with what for them was an entirely new art, They were very much impressed with it,” Jones said.

Qappik last year travelled to North Carolina to see the room dedicated to his art and speak at a conference at Duke University.

For Qappik, Jones’ interest in his art means more than guaranteed annual sales

“He’s really the person that’s been encouraging… Personally he’s had a lot of impact,” Qappik said.

Qappik’s continued success in art has meant success for Jones as well.

“I really got interested in him as a youngster and have followed his career and seen him get better and better. I like to think it’s a way of encouraging him.”

The Uqqurmiut Inuit Artists Association just recently released this year’s collection of 22 catalogued prints. Four pieces by Qappik are included. The limited edition prints will be on display at 23 galleries throughout North America.