Ulayu Pingwartok
(1904–)
(–1978)
Ulayu Pingwartok
1904–1978
Ulayu Pingwartok (1904–1978), also known as Ulayo, was a graphic artist and sculptor known for her drawings of birds, animals, and domestic scenes. Born near Kimmirut (Lake Harbour) on southwestern Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin Island), Nunavut, Ulayu began drawing in 1959 when she moved to Kinngait (Cape Dorset). She produced over 700 drawings in her lifetime, 30 of which were translated into prints and were published in the Annual Cape Dorset Print Collection between 1965 and 1972.
Ulayu’s early prints and drawings were focused on birds, particularly the precise depiction of their feathers. Her later work shifted to concentrate on images of traditional camp life, often depicting women's daily activities in igloos or tents.
Her work has been exhibited throughout Canada and the United States, including a solo show titled Ulayu organized by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development that toured from 1982 to 1984. Her prints are held in numerous significant museum collections including the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; the Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau; the National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, DC; the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto; and the Winnipeg Art Gallery, among others.
