Also known as Padlaya, Qiatsoo, Qiatsuk
Born in 1965 in Cape Dorset, Nunavut, Canada,
He carries forward a long and rich heritage and culture in his carving. His grandfather, Kiakshuk, was a well-respected member of the first generation of Cape Dorset graphic and sculpture artists whose work was marketed in the “South”. Lukta Qiatsuq, Palaya’s father, continued the tradition, carving complex spirit, transformation, and
hunting scultpures. Several of Palaya’s brothers are also artists.
“I like to carve transformations. That's one of my favourite themes, and
shamanism… when I do transformation or shamanism carvings, I hope the younger
people will see the carving in a book or in a gallery. I want them to know that
these traditions have to be carried out. How do I put this? They have to know
that our ancestors had a hard time to live, to hunt. Sometimes they were
starving. Those carvings are important to me and I want to show these younger
people, and others, that this happened before."
Qiatsuq is frequently invited to attend the openings of the exhibitions and to give sculpture demonstrations in various places. Having an impressive exhibition record for
his age, this artist has exhibited in many countries, including Canada, the United States, France, Germany and Switzerland.
In 2006, he was invited to do a sculpture demonstration at Canada House (London), on the occasion of Canada Day.
He has been employed as a Community Constable for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, at the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative, and has served as mayor of his Community, Cape Dorset; he works hard to balance time devoted to his outside job, his carving and his family.
