Andrew Karpik Qappik

Saskatchewan NAC Auction House Biography and Notes

SKNAC bio: Andrew Qappik was born in 1964 in Nunataq, Nunavut (then part of the Northwest Territories) and has lived in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, for much of his life. He was encouraged to study art by his uncles Solomon Karpik and Imoona Karpik, both artists, and by the age of 14 Andrew Qappik had five prints in the annual Pangnirtung Print Collection. Qappik specializes in stone cut, stencil, etching and lithography, and his artwork depicts animals and traditional Inuit culture in a realistic style, often with a wry humour. Qappik had the honour of contributing to the design of the Nunavut flag and its coat of arms, and in 2018 he was commissioned by the Royal Canadian Mint to design Nunavut's 20th Anniversary gold coin. His work has appeared in many publications, including several issues of the Inuit Art Quarterly, and can be found in many public collections, including the British Museum (London, UK), National Gallery of Canada, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Dennis Museum Centre (Travers City, Michigan). Andrew Qappik made a member of the Order of Canada in 2017. He continues to live and work in Pangnirtung, Nunavut.