Mastering the Craft

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY TOPSY BANKSLAND

With pieces ranging from prints, carvings and sewing, Ulukhaktok is home to many talented artists.

Known for her prints, Elsie Klengenberg was first introduced to drawing, then printmaking, by Father Henri Tardy, who lived in Holman (now called Ulukhaktok) from the 1940s to 1980s.

Her art is influenced by the stories her parents told. Her prints portray culture of the land, animals and people.

Printmaking is a process. She starts out by drawing first, thinking about the placement of people and animals, and how to draw out the figures. Once that is all set, she moves onto cutting the stencils. As an artist herself, it can be difficult at times to create a print, but as long as “you keep trying, trying, it’s going to be easier,” she advises anyone who is starting out.

Though he’s made more than 1,300 ulus and a hundred knives already, Adam Kudlak is still busy creating carvings, jewellery and tools.

Adam started right after high school and learned from watching his father create traditional tools and other items. Inspired by his culture and father, he uses materials such as metal, copper, wood, muskox horns, bones and whatever he can find from the land.

His advice to people who want to start creating art is that “you’re probably not going to like the first stuff you make, but if you stay at it, you’re going to get better.”

Adam enjoys and prefers going at his own pace and found, when taking orders, he started disliking going by a deadline. He points out, “Don’t take criticisms too closely to the heart and do what makes you happy.” His creations can be found in hotels, art shops and many people’s homes.

Laverna Klengenberg remembers she made her first pair of mitts when she was 15 years old for her granny Nigiyok.

Her sewing includes embroideries, mitts, kamiks (boots) and purses. Before doing projects for adults and taking orders, she mainly sewed for her children. She learned about the different textures of hides and skins she prefers to work with.

For example, beaver for cuffs on mitts is more durable than rabbit fur, which can wear out quickly. Fox fur is best for the looks of it, “fluffiness” and warmth.

Since each order is custom made, Laverna educates her customers about what materials are used and the creation process. She can finish a project within a day or a few hours.

“I use it as a form of meditation, especially when I’m going to create something. It’s therapy.”

Sewing is soothing for her, just as it is for those who go out on nature walks or do photography to zone out.

These artists share their creativity. They encourage you to keep trying, go at your own pace and express what makes you happy.