Inuvialuk artist Taalrumiq’s augmented reality piece from a circumpolar artist residency in Umeå, Sweden will be on display in the country throughout the summer.
Taalrumiq is a fashion designer and content creator from Tuktoyaktuk.
She was one of 10 artists in a residency organized by the Taqsiqtuut Research-Creation Lab, which invited participants to imagine “confluences, movement, shared histories, place-making, site-specificity, language, land and waterways.”
“We were there just to learn about Sámi culture and history and work with some of the artists, and what it means to be a responsible guest visiting another country and bringing our artwork there,” said Taalrumiq.
The exhibit was made for the 2026 Arctic Arts Summit and involved artistic incubator residencies in Canada and Sweden in 2025 and 2026.
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Taalrumiq’s piece, Upinraksaq, depicts an Inuvialuit spring scene.
“You’ll see the snow and ice, a kamotik hauling ice for ‘good water,’ a sculptural qulliq with a warming flame, and an Inuvialuk overlooking the water and landscape, dressed in a warm atigi and snow goggles to protect her eyes from the spring sun and glare of the snow and ice,” Taalrumiq said in a Facebook post describing the artwork.
When the artists gathered in Sweden in March, Taalrumiq said, they listened to the proceedings of the Truth Commission for the Sámi People. She noted similarities between the experiences of the Sámi and the Indigenous peoples of Canada through the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission, “like the oppression and aspects of culture that were either taken away or destroyed or minimized.”
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“And now in 2026, there’s a resurgence of culture and really reclaiming aspects, and this need to preserve what’s left,” said Taalrumiq.
The exhibit was curated by Heather Igloliorte and Maria Svonni. The artists who participated alongside Taalrumiq were Coco Apunnguaq Lynge, Drew Michael, Glenn Gear, Guná, Ida Boman, Julia Rensberg, Monica L Edmondson, Tilde-Ristin Kuoljok and Trine Samuelsen Hansen.
The artists were supported by Jordan Hill with graphic design by Edie Skeard.
“I’m just full of gratitude for having met all the different creatives that I was able to meet doing this residency and this program,” said Taalrumiq.
“I learned so much just by listening and being open to possibilities.”
The Arctic Arts Summit ran from June 16-18 and brought together artists, art historians, policy makers and curators to discuss the “future of circumpolar arts,” Taalrumiq said.
The Canada Council for the Arts recently announced it is renewing funding for three co-delivery models with the Yukon government, GNWT and Inuit Art Foundation, meant to support Indigenous and northern artists.
This co-delivery model was recognized at the 2026 Arctic Arts Summit “as an example of culturally responsive support for artists and creative communities across the Arctic,” a news release announcing the renewal said.
