Mosesee Pootoogook

Mosesee Pootoogook, also known as Mosesie or Moe Pootoogook, is an Inuit sculptor from Kinngait, Nunavut. Born on June 16, 1977 in Iqaluit, he was raised in Kinngait, a community internationally recognized for its strong carving and graphic arts traditions. Pootoogook comes from an artistic family: his father, Paulassie Pootoogook, is a respected Kinngait carver, his late mother, Ishuhungitok Pootoogook, was an artist, and his older brother, Anakadlak Pootoogook, is also a carver.
Pootoogook began carving at the age of eleven, learning directly from his father and sometimes working alongside him on sculptures. His work often focuses on animals and lively Arctic subjects, including dancing bears, seals, walruses, and birds. He is particularly associated with serpentine stone, a material he favours for its softness and workability, allowing him to create expressive, approachable forms with movement and character.
Known for small-scale carvings with charm and energy, Pootoogook has developed a style that reflects both the influence of his family’s carving practice and his own interest in animated figures. His sculptures have been included in exhibitions in Canada, the United States, Germany, France, and Switzerland, and his work is represented in collections including the Musée d’art Inuit Brousseau in Quebec City.