Over the course of an artistic career that now spans five decades, Cape Dorset’s Kananginak Pootoogook has produced a unique—and uniquely important—body of graphic work. Perhaps best known for his meticulous drawings and prints of birds and other northern wildlife, Pootoogook has evolved a distinctive style that combines elements of realism with a vision that is more interpretative than literal. In addition to his celebrated wildlife imagery, the one-time hunter has also sought to create a detailed visual record of recent historical and social change, documenting the collision between tradition and modernity in the North.

This winter, the Marion Scott Gallery proudly presents Kananginak Pootoogook: Drawings, the artist’s first solo exhibition in more than 5 years. Comprising 24 new and recent works on paper, it brings into the focus some of the major themes and formal concerns that have come to define Pootoogook’s expression. The exhibition features numerous examples of his signature wildlife work, including depictions of owls, caribou and polar bears. Augmenting these are several images that describe the introduction of modern technology and its impact on northern culture. Kananginak Pootoogook: Drawings also includes two recently completed mural-like drawings, the first large-scale works on paper that the artist has ever made.