Textile Museum of Canada Recognized with National Award for the “ᖃᓪᓗᓈᖅᑕᐃᑦ ᓯᑯᓯᓛᕐᒥᑦ Printed Textiles from Kinngait Studios” Exhibition
Toronto, ON…. The Textile Museum of Canada (the Museum) and partner the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative (WBEC) have been recognized with the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Museums: History Alive! (the Award) for the exhibition Printed Textiles from Kinngait Studios. The Award is a partnership between the Canadian Museums Association (CMA) and Canada’s History Society (CHS).
The Award recognizes individuals or institutions that have made remarkable contributions to a better knowledge of Canadian history. Produced by the Museum in partnership with the WBEC, and curated by Roxane Shaughnessy, Printed Textiles from Kinngait Studios tells the little-known story of a group of Inuit artists and printmakers who produced a collection of bold graphic textiles in Kinngait, Nunavut, in the 1950s and 1960s – a period of social change that disrupted traditional language and relationships to the land. Conceived and presented as a project that foregrounds Inuit voices, expertise and engagement, the Museum’s partnership with the WBEC made possible a process of collaboration with the Kinngait community, resulting in mutually beneficial research, educational programs, and an exhibition tour.
“Museum collections can play a transformative role in the reclamation and recognition of Indigenous cultural identity, and I believe that Printed Textiles from Kinngait Studios has succeeded admirably in involving Inuit in the interpretation and promotion of a broader understanding of their culture and heritage. In both content and delivery, this exhibition has broken new ground in museum and collections practices.” – Dr. Heather Igloliorte, Concordia University, Project Advisor for Printed Textiles from Kinngait Studios
Unique in its approach to community engagement and interpretation, the exhibition involved consultations between Museum staff and members of the Kinngait community to identify authorship, establish provenance, and understand the crucial context of this experimental period of printmaking. Through community gatherings and informal conversations, Museum staff shared research and images with artists, printmakers, and community members who provided valuable new insights. Many community members generously shared memories and observations, helping to unfold and document the story of the cloths on display.
“It has been an honour to collaborate with the Kinngait community to shine a light on the little-known story of this textile printing initiative, and to celebrate the groundbreaking work of the artists and printmakers that was produced over 60 years ago. The exhibition connects community members, many of whom have family ties with the artists, to the creativity and resourcefulness of previous generations. It is my hope that this project will broaden recognition of their work and inspire younger generations of Inuit artists in the future.” – Roxane Shaughnessy, Curatorial Lead
“We recognize the impact and importance of this exhibition and catalogue to all Canadians, and its tour will support the legacy of the exhibition as an enduring repository of valuable research information for future generations.” – Dr. Riva Symko, Head of Collections and Exhibitions and Curator of Canadian Art, Winnipeg Art Gallery
About the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Museums: History Alive!
Generously supported by Ecclesiastical Insurance, the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Museums: History Alive! is a partnership between the Canadian Museums Association (CMA) and Canada’s History Society (CHS). This award was presented for the first time in December 2011 by the Governor General of Canada, at Rideau Hall. The goal of the History Alive! award is to honour significant achievement in the historical field and encourage standards of excellence, specifically in the presentation, preservation and interpretation of national, regional or local history. The award recognizes individuals or institutions that have made remarkable contributions to a better knowledge of Canadian history. Read on for nomination criteria and application instructions. Learn more here.
About the Textile Museum of Canada
The Textile Museum of Canada aims to inspire understanding of the human experience through textiles. We are the only museum in Canada delivering programs and exhibitions dedicated solely to textile arts. The Museum ignites creativity, inspires wonder, and sparks conversation through the stories held within our global collection of textiles, and active engagement with contemporary art practices. For more information, visit: textilemuseum.ca, IG: @textilemuseumofcanada, Twitter: @TMCtoronto, and FB: Textile Museum of Canada.
Media Inquiries
Alex Paton, Head of Marketing & Design
Textile Museum of Canada
416-599-5321 x2239 or apaton@textilemuseum.ca
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