During nearly 50 years of growth and change, weaving in Pangnirtung has altered significantly from those first blankets. While our exploration of the history of the Weave Shop from its start to the present day reveals some of the factors at play in these changes, the tapestries produced by the weavers over this time period tell their own story. Here, we present tapestries from every stage of the studio’s development, from 1971 to today.

Malaya Akulukjuk Two-Headed Bird (1971) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Malaya Akulukjuk Untitled (1974) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Olassie Akulukjuk Fishing (1975) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Annie Pitsiulak Sedna (1975) Wool and cotton 33.5" x 66.5" Tapestry artist Olassie Akulukjuk Courtesy IAF

Malaya Akulukjuk Mermaid (1977) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Malaya Akulukjuk Lady with Bird (1978) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Malaya Akulukjuk Children at Summer Camp (1980) Wool and cotton 53" x 39" Tapestry artist Kawtysie Kakee Courtesy IAF

Malaya Akulukjuk Woven Rug (1981) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Atoomyak Eeseemailee Fishing (c. 1981) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Annie Kilabuk Untitled (1982) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Tommy Novakeel Carrying Kayak and Boat (1982) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Atoomyak Eeseemailee Children Sliding (1983) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Malaya Akulukjuk Sunrise at Tanaqaaq (1988) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Gyta Eeseemailee Char Fishing (1988) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Annie Kilabuk Preparing the Skin (1988-89) Wool and cotton 38" x 42" Tapestry artist Kawtysie Kakee Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Atoomyak Eeseemailee Playing Dogteam (1989) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Anagasie Alikatuktuk Becoming Human (1991) Wool and cotton 24" x 34" Tapestry artist Oloota Veevee Courtesy IAF

Solomon Karpik Gathering Qijuttaaq (1991) Wool and cotton Courtesy IAF

Rose Okpik Making Kamik (1992) Wool and cotton 29" x 47" Tapestry artist Towkie Etoangat Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Malaya Akulukjuk Kunguk Protects Her Young (1992) Wool and cotton 26" x 44" Tapestry artist Igah Etoangat Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Joel Maniapik Summer in Pangnirtung (1993) Wool and cotton 36" x 49" Tapestry artist Leesee Kakee Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Joel Maniapik Time for Tea! (1994) Wool and cotton 30.5" x 40" Tapestry artist Geela Keenainak Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Malaya Akulukjuk Inukshuk Trail (1995) Wool and cotton 43" x 58" Tapestry artist Olassie Akulukjuk Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Malaya Akulukjuk Fox Becoming Human (1995) Wool and cotton 27" x 24" Tapestry artist Towkie Etoangat Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Annie Pitsiulak Berry Pickers (1997) Wool and cotton 30" x 28" Tapestry artist Kawtysie Kakee Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Joel Maniapik Land Mark (1997) Wool and cotton 42" x 37" Tapestry artist Kawtysie Kakee Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Elisapee Ishulutaq At The Lake (1998) Wool and cotton 42" x 59" Tapestry artist Igah Etoangat Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Andrew Qappik Mother With Cubs (1998) Wool and cotton 30" x 51" Tapestry artist Towkie Etoangat Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Joel Maniapik Sliding (1999) Wool and cotton 24" x 15" Tapestry artist Towkie Etoangat Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Ananaiasie Alikatuktuk Humans Becoming Sea Spirits (2001) Wool and cotton 34" x 22" Tapestry artist Geetee Maniapik Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Elisapee Ishulutaq Up the Falls (2004) Wool and cotton 31" x 42" Tapestry artist Igah Etoangat Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Joel Maniapik Drum Dancer (2008) Wool and cotton 36" x 30.5" Tapestry artist Geela Keenainak Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts

Andrew Qappik with Dinah Anderson, Sammy J. Kudluk, Mabel Nigoyok and Louie Nigiyok Achieving a Dream (2009) Wool and cotton 118.5" x 68" Tapestry artists Kawtysie Kakee, Olassie Akulukjuk, Anna Etuangat, Leesee Kakee and Kathy Battye Courtesy Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts