Greenlandic visual art

Visual art in Ilulissat

Aaron from Kangeq
Visual art in Greenland has, in spite of its relatively short history, made a significant contribution to Greenlandic culture. It all began with Aaron from Kangeq, the Greenlandic drawer and painter, who in the middle of the 19th century depicted the ancient Greenlandic myths and legends in watercolours.

Information and naturalists
Since these beginnings several artists have been influenced and inspired to follow Aaron’s example through drawing and painting. From the 1940s visual art had two primary forms of expression: To provide information or to depict the landscape as accurately as possible. The culture and the landscape in Greenland have also attracted many foreign artists, whose works are collectables today. Museums containing the Danish artist Emanual A. Petersen’s paintings are thus found in both Ilulissat in Northern Greenland and in the capital Nuuk.

By Julie E. Hardenberg

Inspiration from the natural world and culture
Greenlandic artists today are particularly inspired by culture, wildlife and the natural world. During recent years an increasing number of young artists have made their breakthrough with art that provokes questions and alters attitudes. Newer forms of expression such as photography and installations have begun to be mixed with more traditional techniques.

Overview of artists in Greenland
There is no complete list of all artists in Greenland. However, the book “Grønlandske Nutidskunstnere – maleri, skulptur, grafik og fotokunst 2004” by Camilla Augustinus provides a good overview of 33 active artists in Greenland. The book is published by Dansk-Grønlandsk Kulturfond, and can be purchased in Danish.