Tommy Pudlat (1916–1992) was a prominent Inuit artist from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Nunavut, Canada. Initially a hunter and sculptor, Pudlat transitioned into drawing in the early 1960s, becoming a key figure in the Cape Dorset art scene. His works often explored the intersection of traditional Inuit life and modern technology, featuring subjects like helicopters, airplanes, and landscapes, which reflected the rapidly changing world around him. Pudlat's unique blend of traditional and contemporary themes earned him significant recognition, including a retrospective at the National Gallery of Canada, titled Pudlo: Thirty Years of Drawing from 1990 to 1991.
Throughout his career, Pudlat produced over 4,500 drawings and contributed extensively to the Cape Dorset Annual Print Collection. His art is known for its vibrant use of color, innovative techniques, and a whimsical sense of humor, capturing both the everyday life and the profound cultural shifts experienced by the Inuit community. In 1978, one of his prints was even featured on a Canadian postage stamp, cementing his status as a key figure in Canadian art.
Pudlat's legacy continues to be celebrated through exhibitions across Canada, the United States, and Europe. His work remains influential, held in prestigious collections like the National Gallery of Canada, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
