The National Gallery of Canada presents the largest exhibition of circumpolar Indigenous art ever organized

The National Gallery of Canada presents the largest exhibition of circumpolar Indigenous art ever organized

The National Gallery of Canada (NGC) presents Qillaniq, an exhibition described as the largest exhibition of contemporary circumpolar Indigenous art ever organized, running from June 12th to September 20th.

The exhibition brings together more than 80 works by over 70 artists from various regions of the Arctic, including Inuit Nunaat, Sápmi, Alaska, and Denendeh. Painting, sculpture, video, installation, and performance are among the media featured.

The word Qillaniq, from Inuktitut, evokes the shimmering of light on water. According to the organizers, the exhibition highlights the resilience, creativity, and cultural connections of circumpolar Indigenous peoples while addressing themes such as identity, climate change, relocation, activism, and Indigenous sovereignty.

Curated by an all-Indigenous team, the exhibition also includes eight new works commissioned specifically for the event. Visitors will also be able to discover, for the first time in North America, the installation Pile o’Sápmi Supreme by Sámi artist Máret Ánne Sara.

The National Gallery of Canada will also offer several public activities, including artist talks, guided tours, screenings, and workshops for families and the general public.