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Lukie Airut was born in 1942 in Alanarjuk Lake, and now lives in Igloolik, Nunavut. He began carving in the early 1960s with his father, George Kappianaq, and learned about stone and whalebone carving from Pacome Kolaut. He hunts to support his family, and maintains a strong connection to the world around him. Lukie gains inspiration from his ventures out on the Arctic land, and uses this to patiently create detailed carvings. Many of the materials for his carvings come from these hunting trips. Lukie attended Nunavut Arctic College, where he studied the fine art of jewellery making. His work has been promoted through the Co-operative art marketing system throughout Canada, and is featured in galleries and museums in Canada, the U.S.A. and Europe. Several of his most remarkable pieces can be found in the collections of prominent museums including the Museum of Inuit Art in Mississauga, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the University of Alberta. Numerous galleries in Canada, the U.S.A., and Europe have hosted Airut exhibits. His carvings tell stories about Inuit culture and a time when people lived in camps, hunted to feed their families and used dog teams to travel. Lukie's work is often multi-dimensional, with fine details at every angle and direction. His wife, Marie, is a craft artist and respected seamstress. Lukie's youngest brother, Bart Hanna, is also a well-known Igloolik carver.
For further information on a particular artist, please refer to the following websites.
Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association - Visit the Artists
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada - Artists Directory
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