NAPATCHIE SHARKY

Napachie Sharky is a visionary artist based in Cape Dorset. Born in 1971 to Josephee Sharky and Ragee Killiktee, Napachie’s early years were marred by the death of his father and grandfather, Sharky Nuna, in 1979. In the years since, Napachie has dedicated himself to his artistic practice, taking as his inspiration the local arctic wildlife and stunning landscape in which he lives. He works almost exclusively on small-scale sculptures, focusing on capturing minute details that bring his work to life. Napachie is best known for his birds, often composed with outstretched, dramatic wings and rounded, plump bodies. His brother, Toonoo Sharky, is also a carver and one of the region’s most celebrated contemporary artists.

Napachie Sharky is a skilled carver based out his hometown of Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU. Sharky comes from a large artistic family of carvers though despite the many influences he has been to create his own unique style. Sharky’s works engages with subjects and themes from the land around him and Inuit community. Often carving northern animals, specifically birds, Sharky has developed a style that combines minimalism with delicate detailing. He is also known for depicting Inuit on motorcycles or ski-doos enforcing contemporary life into the more traditional art form of stone carving. Sharky has exhibited his work across Canada, the United States and parts of Europe. His work has appeared in the Inuit Art Quarterly. Sharky has pieces in the permanent collection of the Musee d’art Inuit Brousseau, Quebec, QC.