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Join the IAF in celebrating the five artists shortlisted for the Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award in a series of talks this June. The first talk will feature North West River, NL based artist Billy Gauthier!

Born in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Nunatsiavut, NL, Gauthier is an artist and activist who began carving in 1996. He was inspired to create further works by his cousin, John Terriak, a skilled Nunatsiavut sculptor. Gauthier creates intricately detailed, mixed-media sculptures with various materials, such as stone, bone, antler, ivory, sinew and baleen (whalebone). 

His work often depicts traditional Inuit practices, cosmologies, spirituality and personal memories. Gauthier’s carvings also address contemporary challenges that many Inuit families and communities experience across Inuit Nunangat, such as food insecurity, substance abuse, the impacts of environmental degradation and concern for the environment and wildlife.

During this artist talk, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about Billy’s creative process, and what inspires his unique style.

About the Award

The Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award (KAMA) is a biennial prize that supports the practice of an Inuk artist by facilitating opportunities for artistic development and career growth. Established in 2014 by generous members of the Inuit art community, this award honours the life and work of the late Kenojuak Ashevak, and her unparalleled contributions to the cultural life and arts of Inuit Nunangat and beyond by providing funding to artists to expand their careers and reach new audiences.

This year’s shortlist of five artists was announced in May. These artists are included in the special group exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq, Anaanatta Unikkaangit: The Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award 2023 Shortlist, and each will receive $5,000. 

The 2023 winner will be announced at a special ceremony in September at WAG-Qaumajuq and will receive $20,000, a solo exhibition at the gallery in 2025, as well as a dedicated residency, catalogue and acquisition to WAG-Qaumajuq’s permanent collection.