Johnny Inukpuk was born in 1911 in Kujjuarapik, Nunavik, and began carving while living out on the land. In the 1950s he moved to Inukjuak, where James Houston, an artist, author and filmmaker who played an important role in promoting the recognition of Inuit artists, encouraged him to continue carving. Inukpuk rapidly became a well-known artist, and the TD Bank Financial Group acquired his work for their collection of Inuit art in 1951. His work also received recognition when placed in an international exhibition of Inuit art in 1953, titled The Coronation Exhibition, held at Gimpel Fils gallery in London, England.
Inukpuk’s sculptures all represent Inuit life. In 1953 he began using a distinctive green stone that was translucent and glowed in the light. Although primarily known as a sculptor, Inukpuk also made prints, and produced a notable stonecut print entitled A True Story of Johnny Being Attacked by Three Polar Bears While in His Igloo (1974). As the title indicates, this print documents the artist’s encounter with three polar bears who attacked him in his igloo while on an overnight hunting trip. He survived by managing to fend off the bears with only a stick, as he could not reach his rifle.
In 1978, Inukpuk was made a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.