Pitseolak Qimirpik
(1986- ) | Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
Pitseolak Qimirpik was born on July 26th, 1986 in Iqaluit, Nunavut. He was born in Iqaluit like almost all children born in the community of Cape Dorset after 1975. Very few births still happen in Cape Dorset as there is no hospital in the community. As a child Pitseolak would go out camping and hunting, living on the land during spring and summer with his family. Pits’ grandfather Qimirpik produced some carvings and drawings over his lifetime. His uncle Allashua Atsiaq carved as did his cousin Noo Atsiaq and Pitseloak’s older brother Moe sometimes carves inuksuks.
The biggest influence for Pitseolak has been his father Kellypalik Qimirpik. Kellypallik is well known for his dancing sculptures and Pits likes his father’s dancing musk ox carvings the best. Pitseolak would help his father and mother with filing and sanding his dad’s carvings. Kellypalik went to Polar North in Montreal for a while to carve when Pits was younger. Pitseolak was also in Montreal at that time donating bone marrow for one of his biological siblings, a sister who was adopted out. While he was in Montreal he would spend time watching his Dad carve at Polar North. Pits made an ashtray there from soapstone there when he was 11 years old. Back in Cape Dorset, Pits continued to observe and help his Dad and carved a seal when he was 14. Pitseolak used to carve with his cousin Noo when they were both 14 years old and learning together. Pits finished grade 12 and worked as a cashier for 2 weeks and chose to be a full time carver like his Dad. Pitseolak welcomes feedback from his father and uses his critiques to become a better carver. Kellypalik has had a major influence on Pits’ carving style and themes.
Pitseolak was very close with Kellypalik and escorted his father to cancer treatment in Ottawa during the last year of his Kellypalik’s life. His mom, Ningeorapik, who had also been his dad’s escort passed away from cancer while in Ottawa. During this time, Pitseolak was not carving. When he returned home, he continued to care for his dad until Kellypalik’s death. Pits began carving in Cape Dorset again and continues to honour the legacy of his father with his own work.
Now Pitseolak mainly carves mostly by himself, outside his home. Sometimes younger people help him finish his pieces. He enjoys carving dancing musk ox, hip hop hares, transformational pieces, dancing bears and drum dancers, woman carrying baby in the amautik or carrying berries, women sewing mitts or kamiks (sealskin boots) and exploring modern themes like his Teen with MP3 player. Pits examines the stone to decide what to make. His preference is to make medium to small size pieces. Pitseolak is dedicated to his art and is willing to take risks and be an innovator.
TD bank added the Teen with MP3 player to their collection in Toronto and used the carving in advertisements (https://art.td.com/collections/young-man-mp3-2010-2/). Pitseolak’s recognition expanded, the price for his carvings increased and his artwork has become more in demand. Pitseolak began using power tools right away unlike previous generations who began with hand tools. He likes variety and is often influenced by his reality of living in the modern north.
Pitseolak has mined stone for himself in the past. Three years ago he went with Nuna Parr and Kovianaqtuliak Tapauangai to mine stone. Pits feels there used to be more of the darker black stone coming from the mines but now stones can be lighter in colour. Pitseolak continues to advance the art form in new directions and plans on carving for the rest of his life. His work has been exhibited in Canada, US and Europe.
