1

Abraham Nastapoka
1950 - 1960
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada

2

Abraham Nastapoka [1900 - 1980]


His story
Abraham Nastapoka was a respected hunter and leader of a camp called Patirqtuuq located in the Nastapoka Islands and river area. In the 1930s, he operated a small shop for the Baffin Trading Company on the river from which he took his last name. He began carving at the age of 50, shortly after James Houston's arrival. He and his wife, Meeko Sarah Nastapoka, worked together. Meeko could not sign her name and often asked him to sign her work, which he did, using his own name. He carved until about 1974 when pain in his arms forced him to stop. During his time as a carver, he created a body of work that earned him a good reputation as a sculptor. His work is included in numerous private and public collections throughout Canada.

References
Wight, Darlene
2009 Early Masters. Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery: 75.

3

"Polar Bear" by Abraham Nastapoka
1950s
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada

4

"Two Bears" by Abraham Nastapoka
1950s
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada

5

"Harpooned Walrus" by Abraham Nastapoka
1960
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada


Credits:
Photo: Paul von Baich

6

"Walrus" by Abraham Nastapoka
1962
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada


Credits:
Photo: York University