The artists represented in Iqqaipaa all experienced hardship and deprivation when trapping no longer provided a reliable source of income. They embraced art making with fervour and enthusiasm and applied to it the same stringent work ethic and perfectionism which had enabled them to survive in one of the world's most hostile environments. These qualities are reflected in the faces and words of the artists.
"I like to carve what I feel, not merely what I
see."
Pauta Saila 
"When a carving is finished, when it is completely
finished, you get a really happy feeling and your mind is at rest, though not for long!
I've always got so many carvings in my mind that I want to make, so many ideas and plans
that in some ways it's hopeless."
"After my husband died, I felt alone and unwanted. Making prints is what has made me happiest since he died." Pitseolak Ashoona, graphic artist from Cape Dorset
"I do not think out what I will do. John Tiktak, 1968
"One time, a group of singers came to the
community. My daughter was watching me while I was carving. She asked me if carving a
sculpture was the same as singing. I replied, 'Yes, it is.'"
Lucy Tasseor, 1987
Davidialuk Alasua Amittu, graphic artist and sculptor from Povungnituk Davidialuk Alasua Amittu
"Sometimes when I put the paper down to draw, for a long time I leave it there trying to think of what I'm going to make... and sometimes when I really get stuck, I just go ahead and draw."
Kenojuak Ashevak,
graphic artist from Cape Dorset
"We would rather earn money, even if it
is less money, but earn by ourselves rather than have to wait for handouts."
Donat Anawak, 1967 
"Nobody taught me how to carve. I learned by myself.
One time, I just sawed off a piece of very hard stone and started carving."
Josie Papialuk, 1985 
Irene Avaalaaquiaq, graphic and textile artist from Baker Lake Irene Avaalaaquiaq, 1989
"What we show in our carvings is the life we have
lived in the past right up to today. Paulosie Kasadluak, sculptor and graphic artist from Inukjuak
Sammy Kaitak, sculptor from Salluit Sammy Kaitak, 1984
"Yes, I get the idea for a carving from
the stone. Before I start carving, I just look at it for a while — sort of like draw
it with my eyes to see what I will carve."
Qaqaq Ashoona, April 1974 
"My brain and the pencil seem to go
together when I start to draw something in my head."
Pudlo Pudlat, 1983 
"White people tell stories in books. I tell them by
my drawings."
Helen Kalvak, 1960s
Johnny Issaja Papigatok, sculptor from Salluit Johnny Issaja Papigatok, 1984
"I enjoy carving, and it helps with buying food too." Thomas Sivuraq, sculptor from Baker Lake
"I am always happy when a carving is completed, even though the carving cannot move on its own, sometimes they seem to have a life of their own." Davidee Itulu, sculptor from Lake Harbour Davidee Itulu, 1940s
"I became an artist to earn money, but I think I am a real artist." Pitseolak Ashoona, graphic artist from Cape Dorset 
"Drawing has provided a release from
everything in the world."
Jessie Oonark
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