Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to the Pangnirtung Tapestry Studio as it celebrates 20 years of Inuit tapestry weaving. On March 28, 1972, Inuit hand-woven tapestries were introduced to the art-buying public at the Canadian Guild of Crafts in Montreal. Since that day, Pangnirtung tapestries have been exhibited and sold at art galleries throughout Canada and the United States.
The studio marked this historic occasion with a special exhibition of works from February 9 to February 22 at the art gallery at the Ottawa School of Art. The exhibition and sale featured new works by Pangnirtung tapestry weavers Olassie Akulukjuk, Igah Etoangat, Leesee Kakee and Kawtysie Kakee. The tapestries are interpretations of images by several Pangnirtung artists, including Malaya Akulukjuk, Annie Kilabuk, Lypa Pitsiulak and Ekidluak Komoartok.
The exhibition and sale was produced by the Uqqurmiut Inuit Artists' Association of Pangnirtung, with the assistance of Sinaaq Enterprises Inc., the development subsidiary of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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