Philip Ugjuk
Philip is one of two deaf artists working with the Matchbox Gallery since it first began. He was born in Fort Churchill, Manitoba in 1968 and has lived in Rankin Inlet all his life. He attended Maani Ulujuk High School and graduated in 1988.
Philip is the son of well-known carver, Thomas Ugjuk and the grandson of the legendary carver/ceramist, John Kavik. When young, he watched them both doing their art and also observed them at work at the Rankin Ceramics project in the 70's.
A Matchbox program veteran, he began attending art classes at the Matchbox in 1992 and has continued producing drawings, ceramics and stencils ever since.
He attended the jewelry program in 1997-98 in Rankin and continued jewelry in Iqaluit taking a four month course. He also took part in two jewelry workshops at the Matchbox Gallery in 2008 and 2009 with excellent results.
In 1993, Philip took part in a bronze casting workshop sponsored by the Canada Council of the Arts.
Philip's works have been included in showings of Matchbox Gallery ceramics throughout Southern Canada.
Philip is a multi-talented professional skilled in jewelry-making, drawing and stencil-printmaking, and ceramics. He regularly shows his work at all local events offering art work to the public.
Video Interview
Philip Ugjuk on October, 2010 at The Matchbox Gallery, Rankin Inlet, Nunavut