Joseph (Jaipeth) Illupalik Palluq passed away from drowning in Lake Clear on the night of May 1-2. His body was found by OPP divers on Tuesday May 5 after an extensive search on land and water.
His neighbours on Lake Clear, fellow Madawaska Valley Studio Tour artists Kathy Haycock and Chris Pelzer, provided some background about Palluq’s life.
“Joe was a native of Igloolik, Nunavut. He was born and grew up on the land with his family and learned carving at a young age. He spent time at a residential school but continued with his art when he returned home, learning traditional skills and following the teachings of Elders. He later moved to Ottawa to pursue his art and more recently lived at Lake Clear with his partner, Roberta Della-Picca. He was recognized nationally and internationally as a brilliant carver well-grounded in the rich traditional Inuit life skills and culture which he expressed in his art. He returned north every two or three years to replenish his soapstone, whalebone, walrus tusk and other materials.
He was active locally in art exhibitions, carving a soapstone bust of Olympic runner Melissa Bishop and opening his studio to the public on the Madawaska Valley Studio Tour.”
Anya Gansterer and Andy Trull, Artistic Co-directors at Ottawa Valley Creative Arts Open Studio (OV-CAOS), said, “Joe was a very talented artist and a prolific storyteller. He participated in many OV-CAOS projects and events and will be missed.”
Some community art projects that Palluq supported and participated in were instrumental in promoting awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2-Spirit People (MMIWG2S).
“We became connected to Joseph (Jaipeth) Palluq through his life partner Roberta Della-Picca who is Knowledge Keeper and Artist with the Countdown Project that collaborates with Ontario communities to create artworks that increase the public dialogue about sexual and gender-based violence, and offer remembrance and hope for those affected by MMIWG2S.
The project was very important to Joseph, and we’re grateful for his presence and contributions to the installation of the Carlton Place, Peterborough-Nogojiwanong, Brantford and North Bay, Ontario public art monuments. He was a thoughtful, empathic, and generous person who is deeply missed.”
– Anna Camilleri, Artistic Director, Red Dress Productions and the Countdown Project.
Lake Clear neighbours Pelzer and Haycock summed him up: “He will be remembered as a brilliant traditional Inuit carver, a quiet modest man with a friendly personality and rich generous character. He is survived by his partner Roberta, and by four daughters from a previous marriage, his mother and sisters and brothers. He was predeceased by six siblings.”
Tanya Lyons, glass artist and Madawaska Valley Studio Tour organizer, said, “It is always so hard to lose a creative spirit. Joseph was an active member of our local arts community and a past member of the Madawaska Valley Studio Tour; he contributed greatly to the quality and diversity of this community. Since a young age he carried on traditional carving, creating a vast body of work. Joseph and his beautiful pieces will be remembered by many.”
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, there are no plans as yet for a memorial service. Click HERE for a GoFundMe campaign that has been set up to benefit his family members.
I was instantly attracted to Joe’s friendliness and contagious sense of humor on my few encounters with him. He was totally unforgettable. I am very shocked and saddened to hear of his untimely passing. My condolences to Roberta and his family.