Commissioner gives annual arts award to two friends
Iqaluit jeweller Mathew Nuqingaq, Igloolik musician James Ungalaq recognized for bringing attention to Nunavut history, language, culture
Iqaluit artist Mathew Nuqingaq, left, describes the silver sculpture that features five loons atop the Nunavut mace in the legislative assembly on Friday, as Housing Minister Cecile Nelvana Lyall and Nunavut Commissioner Eva Aariak look on. (Photo by Daron Letts)
Two friends are sharing this year’s Nunavut Commissioner’s Arts Award — Iqaluit jewelry artist and drum dancer Mathew Nuqingaq and Igloolik poet and Northern Haze rocker James Ungalaq.
“It’s good to have support from the commissioner,” Nuqingaq said in an interview following a presentation ceremony at the legislative assembly Friday afternoon.
“It shows the next generation that art is possible, and with the right support you can make a living. It’s a life that I always dreamed of.”
The award recognizes artists who have supported Nunavut’s economy through their art and brought worldwide attention to the territory’s history, language and culture, Commissioner Eva Aariak said during the ceremony.
“The work of these two artists highlights an Inuit worldview in unique ways and superbly shows the diversity of the arts in Nunavut,” she said.
Aariak gave Nuqingaq his award during a ceremony in the lobby of the legislative assembly. She said she will present the award to Ungalaq, who was unable to attend Friday’s event, during the spring sitting of the legislative assembly in May.
Nuqingaq and Ungalaq will split the $10,000 prize.
Nuqingaq is known for his jewelry designs that blend metals with organic elements, as well as for his drum dance performances. He has worked out of his Aayuraa Studio in downtown Iqaluit for the past 14 years.
The awards selection committee picked Nuqingaq and Ungalaq — two friends — unanimously. The committee is made up of Inuit Heritage Trust executive director William Beveridge, artist Celina Kalluk, and cultural advisers Naullaq Arnaquq and Goretti Kakuktinniq.
Despite their unanimity, the choice was difficult, Beveridge said.
“It was really tough because there are so many really good candidates and we reviewed all of them,” he said. “We came down to two people that were just amazing at what they do.”
Nuqingaq said he hopes young artists will take note and believe in art as a career.
His advice to aspiring young artists — “just do it.”
“It takes time, just like anything else. Practise, practise, practise, practise, practise. It gets easier,” he said. “And be sure to make it fun.”
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