Animism Today - Koomuatuk Sapa Curley

Koomuatuk (Kuzy) Sapa Curley is interested in the Inuit belief that beings and things possess a spirit through which they are all connected. He believes that the way his ancestors experienced and perceived the world is more relevant than ever to the nature of the relationship between humans, their environment and other living beings.

For the artist, animism makes perfect sense when you are up north, out on the land In describing his experience and creative process, he says, “When I carve stone, I am present where I am, but also back at my grandparents’ camp. I see the place again, the water and the sky surrounding the land, and the animals we encountered on our way there. I remember the wind, the sun, the cold, and the fresh air. It is this connection that I try to express in my sculptures. I speak of Arctic animals by showing much more than their appearance, but also their movement. I strive to show their life force.”

Born in 1984 in Kinngait, Nunavut, Koomuatuk Sapa Curley is a sculptor, curator, and filmmaker. He is a fourth-generation artist from the renowned Ashoona family. He learned to sculpt at a young age while spending his summers with his grandparents, Qaaqa Ashoona and Mayoreak Ashoona, at their remote camp near Kinngait.

While he explores traditional themes, his techniques are decidedly contemporary. The use of modern tools has allowed him to develop a realistic style and a distinctive personal touch. Now living in the Ottawa region, he has access to a variety of materials in addition to the serpentine and bone he still collects in Kinngait. The use of imported stones such as alabaster and pyrophyllite allows him to masterfully play with transparency and different chromatic tones.

Text by France Cantin

Opening : Thursday, January 29 at 5:30p.m., the artist will be present.