Ottawa artist finds ‘healing and connection’ through art

After a decade of working at Nunavut Sivuniksavut – an Ottawa post secondary program that empowers Inuit youth – Zorga Qaunaq is ready to take the plunge into full time artistry.

Zorga Qaunaq wears earrings her brother made in a coffee shop in Ottawa on Saturday. Photo by Owen Spillios-Hunter.

Qaunaq, who is originally from Igloolik, Nvt., has been making stuff for as long as she can remember. Last week she was excited to announce that she would be pursuing her art full time. An idea she was, at first, apprehensive about.

“Through that over 10 years of working with them [Nunavut Sivuniksavut], I built up my own confidence,”  Qaunaq said. “I realized that you can do whatever you want, and I started asking myself what do I really want to do?”

Ottawa as a hub for Inuit outside of Nunavut

There are many Inuit organizations based in Ottawa, including Nunavut Sivuniksavut where Qaunaq used to work.

The school not only provides a learning environment for the 50 to 60 Inuit students it teaches every year, but also cultivates a strong sense of community for Inuit in Ottawa. It does this by providing a space to practice a common language, a space that strives to help Inuit students develop their identities.

“I love living in Ottawa because even though it’s a city outside of my home territory, there’s a lot of Inuit here and I feel less homesick,” said Qaunaq. “I feel like I have a community here in Ottawa.”

Art as an expression of community

To Qaunaq, working at Nunavut Sivuniksavut and practicing art are interconnected. Qaunaq says that artwork can create a unique opportunity for deep discussions.

“Education and art are my passions, so I’m able to do both of them with my art,” said Qaunaq.

Another important aspect of art to Qaunaq, is about connection to herself, her culture and her community.

“It’s healing because you get to learn about yourself as you’re creating,” said Qaunaq. “I just get lost in the art, and that’s when you know you enjoy something so much.”

Qaunaq is bursting with creative ideas. Sometimes Qaunaq has to stop herself from working, with all her passion she can forget to take a break.

“I have so many ideas, I want to do traditional art and exhibitions, to do influencing stuff, I’d love to do writing, filmmaking,” said Qaunaq. “There’s so many things I’m pulled to in different directions.”

For now though, she’s envisioning three streams of expression: jewelry making, tattooing, and educating about Inuit tattoos.

“I have lots of aspirations for everything, I just need to pick a direction and go with it. And go full on with it until I’m done,” said Qaunaq.

A big reason Qaunaq is stepping away from work at Nunavut Sivuniksavut to pursue art is because she couldn’t give her full attention to both at the same time.

Qaunaq’s biggest take away from her career, so far anyways, is to pursue what makes you happy.

“Do what you love to do,” said Qaunaq “Even if you crash and burn, at least you’re having fun.”