Signature on Arts:
ᐊᐃᔭ
Artist lives in:
Gatineau, QC
Community artist is from:
Iqaluit, NU
Categories of art practiced:
Aija works as a seal products facilitator and youth facilitator, as well as an illustrator, graphic designer, comic book/graphic novel artist and seal hunter.
Preferred materials & subjects:
Stone, bone, paint, clay, video, digital painting, seal products, as well as storytelling and writing.
When asked to comment on the subjects and meaning of her work, Aija responded that she makes what she likes, and hopes that others can give her art meaning. When working with seal, she focuses on seal skinning, as well as making small materials, jewelry and sculptures.
Year of Birth:
1998
Artist’s background:
As a child, Aija enjoyed reading and playing. She is inspired by many Inuit sculptors, as well as the children’s books she read in the 90’s while living up North, by illustrators like Germaine Arnattaujuq. She is also inspired by western comic books and animation, her earliest reads being Hellboy and Watchmen. She works from an intuitive place, of knowing something needs to be created, and not feeling settled until it is complete.
Displayed work & Artist Feedback:
Aija’s father and grandfather have work in galleries, and her grandmother has work in the museum of Human History in Gatineau. Aija’s work is more commercial. She creates illustrations that are in children’s books, as well as website designs and online illustrations. Aija has taken part in art shows at small local galleries, such as Ye Olde Blacksmith Gallery, Standstead, QC in 2022. The Royal Canadian Mint has also recently released a 20$ coin featuring Aija’s illustration for Nunavut’s 25th anniversary!
Artist’s Involvement with Traditional Inuit Culture:
Aija remains connected to Inuit culture through seal hunting, seal skinning, cooking, sewing, and through storytelling, as well as through time spent with family.
Words of wisdom to other artists: Aija offers the outlook to take action if there is something you want to do or to create. She explains that young artists shouldn’t worry too much as to whether they can do something, to focus instead on practice: ‘’If you think you want to do something, do it. Don’t hesitate!’
To purchase works: You can visit Aija when she sells her work at small vendor sales, or buy direct through her instagram or facebook.
- 20$ coin designed by Aija showcases Nunavut as a great mother holding her children in her outstretched hood. The children dance to her heartbeat, held safely under the midnight sun.
- Aija’s First Published Book, by Inhabit Education Books, Arvaaq Press.
- Aija’s logo design for the’ Reconseal’, a seal hunting and seal products company that she is a part of.
- Graphic Arts – Illustration
- Graphic Arts – Illustration
- Acrylic Painting – Illustration
- Illustrative Digital Art work for a client.
- An early pair of seal skin mittens by Aija
Aija at Isaruit