Inuit Artist: Jomie Aipeelee

Date of Birth: September 11th, 1963

Community: Iqaluit, Baffin Island, N.W.T. (with significant time spent in Lake Harbour)

Styles of Work: Carving; Sculpture

Preferred Subjects:
Muskox; Hawks; Polar bear; Narwhal; Seals; Ducks; Walrus; Hunters; Inukshuks

Family Heritage:
Jomie’s father, Sepee Ipeelie, a known carver for his interpretation of the muskox, originally came from Pangnirtung. Seepee moved to Iqaluit ( known then as Frobisher Bay) in 1945. On his father’s side, Jomie comes from a family of artists, namely: Ennutsiaq - his great grandfather and Nooveya Ipeelie - his grandfather. Jomi’s mother is Oolooriak, sister to the late Annie Qimerkpiq, artist from Lake Harbour. Annie’s husband is Newgiliak Qimerkpiq, coincidentally, also known for his muskox sculptures.

Points of Interest:
Jomie attended elementary and high school, completing grade eight. He left school and worked at the Ministry of Transport as a carpenter. Jomie commenced carving at the age of fifteen but did not resume this occupation until he was twenty-two. He now carves on a full-time basis for his regular income. Jomie gets his inspiration from the traditions of his people - spending time out on the land both in winter and summer. He knows the traditional way of hunting for seals, walrus, caribou, ptarmigan and geese. Like his father and grandfather, Jomie’s favourite subject to carve is the muskox. His carvings are strong and direst.

Exhibitions:
April-May 1995, Three Inuit Artists: Grandfather, Father and Son
Artic Artistry, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, U.S.A