HENRY NAKOOLAK

Henry Nakoolak, born in 1966 in Coral Harbour (Salliq), Nunavut, is a self-taught Inuit carver renowned for his expressive sculptures. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Nakoolak did not learn carving through family tradition; his mother, Uqajuituq,
crafted miniatures from walrus teeth as a hobby, but he developed his skills independently. Nakoolak's carving journey commenced in 1988 when he sold his first piece—a small antler carving—for six dollars to the local Co-op. This initial sale ignited his passion for the art form, leading him to pursue it more seriously. Nakoolak predominantly works with caribou antler and whale bone, creating sculptures that often depict animals and human figures. His art reflects traditional
Inuit themes and showcases his deep connection to his cultural heritage In 2020, Nakoolak's work was featured in the "Sculptures From Coral Harbour" exhibition at Feheley Fine Arts in Toronto, highlighting his prominence in the Inuit art scene.
His sculptures are part of various collections, including the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, where his piece "Camp d'été" is housed. Through his self-taught artistry, Henry Nakoolak has significantly contributed to the
preservation and expression of Inuit cultural narratives, earning recognition both nationally and internationally.