Pride and Joy: The Interconnectedness of life in the Arctic An exhibition curated by Katsitsanoron Dumoulin Bush
Pride and Joy: The Interconnectedness of life in the Arctic An exhibition curated by Katsitsanoron Dumoulin Bush
La Guilde proudly presents Mary Paningajak: Pride and Joy in partnership with the Festival international Présence autochtone, curated by Katsitsanoron Dumoulin Bush. Join us, along with the artist and curator, on Thursday, July 30 at 5:30 PM for the opening night. The exhibition will be on view until September 12, 2026.
This exhibition of Mary Paningajak’s Ivujivik home-based printing practice delves into the fruits of collaborative living and cohabitation with the natural world. The artist exemplifies the synergistic relationships that have, and continue to be necessary for both survival and quality of life in the arctic.
This body of small-format works expands conceptions of the arctic trophic chain into the joyous by foregrounding variegated ocean, animal, and plant life with the many products of harmonious living. Mary Paningajak’s works allow for an understanding of the relationships that are essential to Nunavimmiut (The people of Nunavik), and all who inhabit our planet.
* During opening night, visitors will also be able to discover Qamutik, an exhibition featuring works of Thomas Whiteley.
BIOGRAPHY
Mary Paningajak is a visual artist from Ivujivik, Nunavik. Multidisciplinary, she practices drawing, painting and printmaking as well as sculpture inspired by her environment, Inuit culture and the creativity of her people.
Her work has been renowned and can be found in collections such as Avataq Cultural Institute, Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec and Kativik School Board. It has also been presented during events like the Biennale de Saint-Jean Port-Joli, Montreal’s Plural art Fair.
In 2023, Mary Paningajak gave a lecture at Atelier Circulaire on the realities of printmaking in Nunavik. In May 2025, she completed a residency at their studio where she explored engraving alongside Paule Mainguy. She is the first artist to inaugurate the exhibition space at the new SANAAQ cultural and community centre in Montreal, with her solo exhibition Sikutsajaq, which opened on May 15, 2025.
Katsitsanoron (Kat) Dumoulin Bush is a two-spirit Onkwehonwe and French Canadian from Oshahrhè:’on (Chateauguay), Quebec. They received their BA in Linguistics from Concordia University in 2017. Kat has worked as an educator in indigenous communities across Quebec; teaching mathematics, science, music, special education, and kindergarten in Tasiujaq, Eastmain and Kahnawake. They have also worked in radio as a DJ and music journalist. Katsitsanoron considers themselves a “non-disciplinary” artist and curator; using experiential learning as a principal medium to make artworks and exhibitions that pose and respond to questions about sexual, racial, and interpersonal identity.
As an artist, they have completed residencies at Artexte (2023), The Banff Centre (2024), and Plug In ICA (2026). Their first curatorial internship was at daphne (2023), and the second the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (2024-2026). Kat is currently working at La Guilde and as part of a team of guest curators for the MAC’s reopening exhibition. They are also currently a board member of the IPACC (Indigenous People’s Arts and Cultures Collective) and MOMENTA biennial.
ABOUT LA GUILDE
La Guilde is a charitable visual arts organization committed to supporting artists who push the boundaries of handmade art in Canada. We operate a gallery and look after a collection and archive that preserves and expands histories of art and craft. For over 120 years we’ve championed a sustainable art market for craft and handmade art with a focus on work by women and artists who are Indigenous. We support artistic experimentation and the vitality of contemporary craft.
Exhibition title: Pride and Joy
Artist: Mary Paningajak
Curator: Katsitsanoron Dumoulin Bush Dates: July 30 to September 12, 2026
Opening reception: Thursday, July 30, 5:30 PM – 8 PM, the artist and curator will be present * Nawè Jean, Communications, La Guilde
gnawejean@canadianguild.com
