MV Nuliajuk

Andrew Qappik and MV Nuliajuk

In November of 2010, I had a chance to meet Andrew Qappik, a printmaker from Pangnirtung who was visiting Newfoundland to paint the bow of a new fisheries research vessel for Canada's Arctic.  The boat, named the MV Nuliajuk, was commissioned in Iqaluit earlier this July and is now at work in Nunavut's waters.  You can read more about the vessel and see additional photos in the Northern News Service and Nunatsiaq online editions.

Here are a few photos from Andrew's work painting the boat as it was being built in Glovertown, Newfoundland and Labrador.  The name of the vessel, MV Nuliajuk,  comes from the goddess or mother of the sea and it was her image that Andrew painted on the vessel.

Planning the layout of the design.

Andrew had to work from scaffolding, wearing a life jacket over the water.

The painting took about 3 days to complete.

Beautiful work

There was still about 8 months of work to complete inside the research vessel at this point.

I like that her tail is more like a beluga than a fish.

Me, Andrew and Nuliajuk

Photo Credits: 
1-7: Tim Rast
8: Lori White