Saimaiyu Akesuk was born on April 28, 1988 in Iqaluit but she has lived in Cape Dorset her whole life. Her parents are Lau Akesuk and Olayuk Akesuk who was one of the first Members of the Legislative Assembly in Nunavut. Saimaiyu was inspired to start drawing by Ningeokuluk Teevee while they were taking a class together at the Nunavut Teaching Education Program. Saimaiyu’s confident drawings of birds and bears are characterized by her bold and dynamic simplicity rendered with soft tenderness and quite often a touch of whimsy.

Saimaiyu Akesuk is one of the most original of the group of emerging artists working in the Kinngait Studios.

Although her unique style and imaginative use of colour have launched her to the forefront of contemporary Inuit art, she was initially reluctant to start drawing. It was Ningiukulu Teevee, who encouraged Akesuk and introduced her to the drawing studio.

Akesuk’s drawings are arresting, utilizing a superb sense of colour combined with bold compositions. Using only coloured pencil, she applies her hue forcefully, creating a unique surface texture resulting out of her technique of switching the direction of her pencil to create opposing shading.

Artist Code: 184.12