Johnny Inukpuk
(1911–)
(–2007)
Johnny Inukpuk
1911–2007
Johnny Inukpuk (1911–2007), also spelled Johnnie Inookpuk, was an Inuit sculptor born in Kujjuarapik, Nunavik, Quebec. He is known for his use of distinctive dark green serpentine stone in his sculptures, giving them a translucent glowing quality. His sculptures typically depict figures in action, often within traditional Inuit scenes such as childbearing, domestic activities, and hunting. Johnnie’s sons Charlie, Daniel, and Johnny (Jr.) are also established carvers.
Johnnie began carving while living on the land in seasonal hunting camps. After moving to Inukjuak (Port Harrison), he met James Houston who encouraged him to continue carving. His sculptures were focused on capturing the minute details of everyday realities, including family life and the domestic and hunting activities essential to survival. His work records his subjects in action, drawing direct connections with daily life. A common recurring visual detail in his female figures is a cleft lip, a physical detail drawn from his wife, Mary. In general, Johnnie’s characters are distinguishable due to their round, brilliantly polished heads and eyes made out of ivory, soapstone, or melted vinyl records. While some of the scenes represented in his sculptures are austere and even violent, he balances these images with those of motherhood and family life to assure his audience that Inuit life is likewise full of love and abundance.
Although Johnnie was mainly a sculptor, he also produced one notable print in 1974. After surviving an attack by three polar bears on an overnight hunting trip with only a stick to defend himself, Johnnie felt that he could not adequately convey his experience through a carving. Based on recommendations from elders in the community, Johnnie experimented with stonecut printmaking to capture the intensity of the scene.
Two key events in the early 1950s led Johnnie’s work to gain recognition. In 1951, one of his large sculpted figures was acquired by Toronto Dominion Bank Financial Group. Later, in 1953, a selection of his carvings were included in The Coronation Exhibition at Gimpel Fils Gallery in London, England. Throughout his career, Johnnie’s work has been included in many exhibitions across Canada and internationally. His work is also held in permanent collections at the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, the Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, among others. Further, in 1973, Johnnie was elected a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.
