Saimaiyu Akesuk
1988-
When I went down to the litho shop to sell my first drawing, I was very nervous wondering whether they would buy it or not. My first drawing was an image of my late grandfather’s (Latchaolassie) carving of a bird. I was so proud to get paid for that drawing and it inspired me to do more drawings.
- Saimaiyu Akesuk
Saimaiyu Akesuk was born on April 28, 1988 in Iqaluit but she has lived in Cape Dorset her whole life. Her parents are Lau Akesuk and Olayuk Akesuk who was one of the first Members of the Legislative Assembly in Nunavut. Saimaiyu was inspired to start drawing by Ningiukulu Teevee while they were taking a class together at the Nunavut Teaching Education Program. Saimaiyu’s confident drawings of birds and bears are characterized by her bold and dynamic simplicity rendered with soft tenderness and quite often a touch of whimsy.
ARTIST INFORMATION
AVAILABLE WORKS
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EXTERNAL RESOURCES
Inuit Art Quarterly: Saimaiyu Akesuk Artist Profile
Inuit Art Quarterly: 30 Artists to Know
Inuit Art Quarterly: Breaking Artistic Molds with Saimaiyu Akesuk
CBC: Nunavut woman who 'hated art' her whole life discovers hidden talent
CBC: Brooklyn Museum adds Cape Dorset prints to collection
Nunavut News: Kinngait artist inspired by her grandfather
Luxury Daily: Luxury shakes hands with Indigenous designers
Radio Juxtapoz: Inuk artist, Saimaiyu Akesuk and the Rich History of Northern Art