Kooyoo Peter was born in Cape Dorset on Baffin Island in 1966 and is the son of the celebrated Inuit artist Ejetsiaq Peter. At 18, Kooyoo began sculpting in his hometown, learning the craft from his late brother Joanasie, who recognized Kooyoo’s talent and invited him to sculpt alongside him. Joanasie taught Kooyoo the fundamentals of stone carving, including how to use tools like the ax and file, and the correct approach to carving different parts of the stone.
Kooyoo’s preferred sculptural subjects include bears, dynamic Inuit figures, and shamanic transformations. His work is known for its strength, precision, and evocative sense of movement, reflecting a unique and refined style. Since 1987, Kooyoo’s sculptures have been showcased in various locations around the world, including Canada, the United States, Switzerland, and Germany.
