Helen Kalvak
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Helen Kalvak (1901 - 1984) (C.M., R.C.A.) was an Inuit artist from Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada.
Kalvak was born on Victoria Island and lived a traditional Inuit lifestyle until she moved to Holman (today called Ulukhaktok) in 1960, after the death of her husband, Edward Manayok. Brought up by her father, Halukhit, as an angakok (shaman) she later converted to Christianity. Her shamanism was reflected in her artwork along with the stories that she learned as a child.
After moving to Holman she helped Father Henri Tardy set up the Holman Eskimo Coop in 1961. It was at this time that Kalvak began her artwork and going on to produce an estimated 1800 drawings by 1978. In 1965 her artwork was being turned into prints and sold throughout the world. By 1978 Kalvak was no longer able to use her hands due to Parkinson's disease.
In 1975 in recognition of her work she was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. This was followed in 1978 by her appointment to the Order of Canada. In 1979 her work entitled The Dance was used by Canada Post for the 17ยข postage stamp. The school in Holman is named after her.
At the time of her death in 1984 Kalvak was one of the few remaining Inuit women in Holman to have traditional beautifying facial tattoos.
