Born in 1962 (Arviat, Nunavut)

As comfortable with carving tools as he is with the strings of a guitar, multidisciplinary artist Billy Kuksuk is known for his sculptural work as well as his jazz. Born and raised in the hamlet of Arviat, Kuksuk recalls that art has always played a major role in his life and names both his father John Kuksuk as well as his uncle Donald Udluadluak as key influences in his creative practice. Lacking easy access to serpentine, Kuksuk primarily uses granite, a hard stone readily available in the community.