The Collages of Janet Kigusiuq : A Case Study in Inuit Aesthetics

This text is an excerpt from a lecture discussing the collages of Janet Kigusiuq, an Inuit artist from Baker Lake. The lecture (by Richard D. Mohr) argues that while Kigusiuq’s personal history and artistic development are interesting, her collages are more significantly shaped by cultural and institutional forces. It examines how traditional Inuit aesthetics, particularly the emphasis on flatness and abstraction, influence her work. The lecture then examines how Kigusiuq’s art instructor, Kyra Fisher, introduced her to collage, providing materials and techniques that ultimately impacted her style. Finally, the lecture challenges the common practice of interpreting Inuit art solely through the artist’s intention, arguing that this approach ignores the broader social and cultural forces at play in the creation of art.