Name/Title
UntitledEntry/Object ID
2025.01.01Description
Born in 1928 in the Garry Lake area of Nunavut, Naomi Ityi was a pioneering Inuk textile artist whose work helped shape the visual language of Inuit wall hangings. She spent much of her life in Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake), Nunavut, where she became one of the earliest creators of textile-based narrative art in the region. Her artistic journey took a significant turn with the establishment of the Baker Lake Sewing Shop in 1971, which provided a platform for her work and that of her contemporaries, elevating their creations to the status of fine art.
Ityi’s work is deeply rooted in Inuit storytelling and daily life, often depicting scenes of animals, spirits, hunters, and community life. Her compositions blend myth and reality, capturing the vibrancy and complexity of Arctic existence. Her wall hangings are not just decorative—they are visual stories that preserve cultural memory and express personal and collective identity.
Naomi Ityi was known for her innovative use of wool scraps and embroidery techniques. She employed a rich variety of stitches—blanket stitches for texture, herringbone stitches to mimic scales, and satin and chain stitches to add dynamic bursts of color and movement. These techniques gave her figures a lifelike quality and a sense of motion, making her textile works feel animated and immersive.
Her art is celebrated and preserved in major national collections, including the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and the Art Gallery of Guelph, ensuring that her innovative techniques and compelling visual stories continue to inspire and resonate with audiences.Artwork Details
Medium
wool felt and embroidery floss on wool duffelDimensions
Height
63.5 cmWidth
49.53 cm