Artist’s Legal Name: Shelly O’Gormon
Artist lives in: Cambridge Bay, NU
Community artist is from: Cambridge Bay, NU
Categories of art practiced: Embroidery; Parka Making; Kamik Making; Kalikuk Making
Preferred materials & subjects: Cotton Materials for kalikuks; Kitimeot Style kamiks with Moosehide and Straud
Year of Birth: 1988
Profession or Work: Educational Leave from Government of Nunavut
Artist’s background: Shelly grew up in the community of Cambridge Bay. She knew she was creative from the time she was little. Shelly learned the basics of sewing when she was in elementary school. By the time she was an adult, she learned how to sew, her mother and sister are also good seamstresses so they have helped Shelly along her learning experience. Shelly likes to make kamiks from moosehide and straud and now mostly concentrates on making kalikuks and sells them online, they are in such high demand on kalikuks right now so that is whats she is concentrating on right now.
Arist’s Involvement with Traditional Inuit Cultre: Hunting; Family Camping; Sewing
Notes/Comments: “I would definetly encourage younger Inuits, especially who love to be creative, you don’t necessarily don’t need to have a creative background within your family and it’s okay to find your own path and figure out what you enjoy doing. There’s lots of seamstresses out there, carvers, artist’s who are willing to teach and it’s okay growing up more interested. You’ll find your path as an adult and it is really beautful once you get into it and find what you really enjoy.”