Pudlo Pudlat

], (February 4, 1916 - December 28, 1992) was a Canadian Inuk artist whose preferred medium was a combination of acrylic wash and coloured pencils.

Pudlo began drawing in the early 1960s after he abandoned the semi-nomadic way of life and settled in Cape Dorset.

Initially encouraged by James Houston and then by Terry Ryan of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative, he embraced drawing and later printmaking and painting as these media were introduced in the north.

Pudlo's art is characterized by a playful sense of humour and a fascination with the trappings of modern life, especially airplanes.

In many ways Pudlo's work symbolizes the paradoxes of the encounter between traditional Inuit culture and modern life.

"Pudlo's works over the years demonstrate his keen visual sense, his versatility and innovativeness in subject matter and technique — tempered by his sense of humour — his knowledge of traditional life on the land, and his acknowledgement of the changing times.... Pudlo's thinking/drawing process is a truly creative approach, done both consciously and unconsciously.

Umiakjuak by Pudlo Pudlat. Collections of National Gallery of Canada .