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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 second talk will feature multidisciplinary artist Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona.

Kabloona is an artist and writer currently residing in Ottawa. She believes art and writing are valuable tools to express herself in a broad way and to make the world a little bit more Inuk. Her short story, "Utiqtuq,” appeared in Taaqtumi: An Anthology of Arctic Horror Stories (2019), published by Inhabit Media. She opened her first solo exhibition, Kajuhiutihimajatka: What I’m Carrying On, at the Art Gallery of Guelph last year, which brought her work together with that of her grandmother Victoria Mamnguqsualuk and great-grandmother Jessie Oonark. Her work is currently in the 30th anniversary group show Drawing on Our History at Carleton University Art Gallery in Ottawa.

During this artist talk, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about Kabloona’s creative process, and what inspires her 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.