Thomasee Echalook
(1935–)
(–2011)
Thomasee Echalook
1935–2011
Thomasee Echalook (1935–2011) was born at Echalook’s Camp near Inukjuak (Port Harrison), Nunavik, in northern Quebec. He began his career as a carver, later becoming a printmaker. His work gained attention after his prints were published in the Annual Arctic Quebec Print Collection in 1972. He contributed to this collection consistently between 1972 and 1976.
At the age of 25, Thomasee began carving while living at an outpost camp as a means to survive. His sculptures, both human and animal, convey a sense of purpose and relationality, and they are known for their precise details and solidity of form. In 1962, Thomasee moved with his family to Inukjuak. Both his father, Lucassie Echalook (1904–?), and his brother Peter Echalook (1943– ) were carvers in Inukjuak. His nephew Noah Echalook is both a carver and a printmaker.
In 1972, Thomasee attended a printmaking workshop with his nephew Noah in Puvirnituq. Following the workshop, Thomasee expanded his practice to include graphic art and explored the potential of printmaking in Inukjuak, setting up a print studio in an out-of-use portable classroom. Thomasee managed the print studio until it closed in 1976.
His work has been displayed in many exhibitions of Inuit art across Canada, the United States, and Europe and can be found in permanent collections at the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, the Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto and the Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver, among others.