Victoria Mamnguqsualuk is famous for her depictions of the immortal wandering hero Kiviuq, a story that has been passed down through oral tradition throughout the Arctic and reached peak artistic expression among Baker Lake artists. Mamnguqsualuk brought the hero to life in her work time and time again, and in a narrative form and style that was distinctively hers. Mamnguqsualuk’s drawings, prints, and even works on cloth are replete with imagery depicting Kiviuq confronted by or in mortal combat with various animals and hybrid animal-human creatures. Here, a bear-like, many-headed being, disguised as a human, threatens Kiviuq. As we can see in the x-ray style view of the beast’s stomach, numerous other humans and animals have already fallen victim.

One of Mamnguqsualuk’s trademarks is her serial depiction of several segments of a story in one image. This classic, coloured pencil drawing is crisply executed almost in black and white, with colour used sparingly to highlight the most salient details. Full of movement and packed with tension, it is a brilliant example of Mamnguqsualuk’s artistry.