Seeds of Plenty: Indigenous Works from AWE’s Collection

Seeds of Plenty brings together new acquisitions and unseen works by Indigenous artists from AWE’s collection. This rotating display also functions as a digitization gallery for AWE staff to professionally document these important works.

In 2023, AWE undertook a review of our collection to ensure that artworks in our holdings represented the diverse communities we served. Of our collection of roughly 4,000 artworks, AWE only holds 232 artworks by around 115 Inuit, First Nations and Métis artists. Of these works, many have yet to be digitized and published in our online collections database. This exhibition is intended to make these works more visible to our audiences in the gallery and online. The show includes the first work we acquired by an Indigenous artist—Inuit artist Joe Adlaka Aculiak’s Hunter with Bear—as well as our most recent acquisition—Under the Blanket (2022) by Oji-cree artist Jessica Rachel Cook (Constance Lake First Nation/Bkejwanong First Nation). With a renewed mandate to collect more work by Indigenous artists, with a particular focus on Indigenous artists living and working in this region, we hope to transform these holdings in the years to come.

This exhibition includes a rotating display of works by artists including: Joe Adlaka Aculiak, Adamie Alariaq, Abraham Anghik, Peter Nauja Angiju, Mathew Aqigaaq, Johnniebo Ashevak, Kenojuak Ashevak, Qaqaq (Kaka) Ashoona, Rebecca Belmore, Bob Boyer, Jessica Rachel Cook, Johnassie Eyaituq, Lucassie Ikkidluak, David Ikutaaq, Juanisi Jakusi Itukalla, Eeyevadluk Josephie, Markosi Kallak, Kiakshuk, Ani Kidlasik, Mosesie Kolola, Peepeelee Kuniliusee, Niviaksiak, Rita Letendre, Victoria Mamnguqsualuk, Towkie Maniapik, Sakiasie Manno, Robert Markle, Arthur McKay, Mosesee Natanine, Shelley Niro, Lucassie Oqaituq, Joslyne P., Eyeetsiak Peter, Paulassie Pootoogook, Kananginak Pootoogook, Pudlo Pudlat, Ruth Qaulluaryuk, Louie Qingnaqtuq, Lucy Qinnuayuak, Keeleemeeoommee Samualie, Eliyakota Samualie, Arthur Shilling, Charlie Sivuarapik, Levi Alasua Pirti Smith, Jamasie Teevee, Angus Trudeau, Sima Tuki, Junasi Tuluga, Ruth Annaqtuusi Tulurialik, Lucassie Usaitaijuk