Agnes Nanogak

Born in 1925, Agnes Nanogak was the daughter of William Natkutsiak, a guide for Vilhjamur Stefannson.
Originally from Alaska, Nanogak moved to Holman, Northwest Territories when she was 12. It was her
father who encouraged her to draw at a young age. Her prints and drawings reflected her father’s Alaskan
heritage and her mother’s Copper Eskimo roots. Over the course of her career, Nanogak produced 140
images and 20 annual print collections.

Nanogak was a prolific storyteller and illustrator. She illustrated a book of legends called Tales from the
Igloo (1972) and provided both images and narration for the second edition More Tales from the Igloo
(1986). Nanogak was captivated by stories of shamans, myths and tales of animals. These narratives are
explicit across her prints and drawings. Her style is characterized by energetic lines and bold colour. This
technique is particularly relevant to portraying the excitement associated with the magic of her work.