Jesse Tungilik
Artist-in-Residence
Jesse Tungilik: Artist-in-Residence
February 18-May 3, 2019
Concordia University, Montreal
Interdisciplinary artist Jesse Tungilik was Inuit Futures’ first Artist-in-Residence, hosted by Concordia University from February 18 - May 3, 2019. The residency began with a special tour of the Canadian Space Agency with a group of Nunavik Sivunitsavut students, many of whom would go on to assist Tungilik with the central project of his residency, the creation of a Sealskin Spacesuit. The students included: Melissa Elizabeth Attagutsiak, Nauya Vidahl, Jana Petagumskum, Annie Mina, Daphne Tooktoo, Agga Nayoumealuk, Julie Alivaktuk and Alaka Ann Meeko. Tungilik led a series of workshops on pattern making and sewing that culminated in the exhibition of the final work at The Making of a Sealskin Spacesuit at Concordia University. The Sealskin Spacesuit project critically intervenes in the design and materiality of the iconic spacesuit by intertwining narratives of Western scientific progress with Inuit knowledge and futurity.
During his residency, Tungilik participated in a number of engaging events, workshops, and lectures. He was one of seven Indigenous artists to collaborate on Memory Keepers I, an intensive week-long art-creation workshop that resulted in an outdoor installation in the courtyard of Concordia’s FOFA Gallery for the night of Nuit Blanche. Tungilik’s artist talk, "Using Conceptual Sculpture to Bring Social Change”, addressed his artistic practice of creating conceptual art that draws attention to and explores contemporary issues that face Inuit in Canada. Tungilik worked with the Concordia Fine Arts community by leading a learning session for faculty on working with the North and hosting an Art Hive on jewelry construction and working with northern organic materials, such as bone, antler, and tusks.
In addition to the Inuit Futures in Arts Leadership: The Pilimmaksarniq / Pijariuqsarniq Project, Jesse Tungilik’s residency was a collaboration with the Initiative for Indigenous Futures led by Professor Jason Edward Lewis, the Milieux Institute for Arts, Culture and Technology, and Concordia University's Faculty of Fine Arts.
Media Coverage
Andy Murdoch, “Concordia artist-in-residence builds a sealskin spacesuit,” Concordia News, April 24, 2019.
Maegan Deuling, “'Inuit space explorer, exploring alternate worlds' in sealskin space suit art project,” CBC News, May 5, 2019.
Kelsey Rolfe, “7 Indigenous artists present a collaborative installation for Montreal’s Nuit Blanche,” Concordia News, February 26, 2019.
Jackie McKay, “Inuk artist creates sculpture out of Northmart and Northern Store receipts,” CBC News, March 9, 2019.
Emily Hendersen, “Collaborative Installation Debuts at Nuit Blanche,” Inuit Art Quarterly, March 12, 2019.
Yasna Khademian and Nadia El-Sherif, “Interview with an Artist: Jesse Tungilik,” The McGill Daily, April 9, 2019.