Artist lives in:
Ottawa, ON
Community artist is from:
Kangiqtliniq, Nunavut
Categories of art practiced:
Fashion design, seamstress, painter,multidisciplinary artist-creator & beading. Natalie is currently employed as a Knowledge Translation Coordinator, at Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
Preferred materials & subjects:
Seal skin, fox fur and any type of fur from the arctic, as well as unique fabrics that stand out, like satin and silk. Natalie’s artistic motivation is drawn from family, travel, stories, and performances. She is currently working to finish a fashion collection of traditional Inuit design with a formal twist.
Year of Birth:
1993
Artist’s background:
Natalie’s family, specifically her grandmother, mother, and auntie, inspired her by sewing traditional clothing while she was growing up. Natalie’s first memory of loving fashion and design was at age 7 or 8 when she saw her first public fashion show in Ottawa, and was in awe of the model’s outfits. It was then that she started sewing and designing clothes. Natalie later studied fashion design, learning production design and fashion design for film.
Artist Inspiration, Showcases & Feedback:
Natalie speaks of coming in and out of motivation to create. Motivation for her design work often comes while traveling for work, as stories and performances she sees offer inspiration. She is friends with other artists and finds that inspiration flows through conversations about their respective works.
Artist’s Involvement with Traditional Inuit Culture:
Natalie’s design focus always maintains a traditional style while incorporating modern fabrics, forms and themes in her clothing. She has recently been making Attigi in a chic and formal style.
Words of wisdom to other artists:
Natalie encourages artists and young people to find their inspiration: “find your footprints and work towards that”. She also encourages taking time to sit with elders during hard times, for grounding and connection, ensuring us that this can help us to feel whole again.
Natalie generally does not create her art and design for sale, preferring to keep her work for herself. She is not currently taking orders, but is open to being contacted for potential fashion shows.
Find Natalie’s work here:
- instagram: who_natjoan or artxatuat
- email: joanatuat@gmail.com