James Houston (1921-2005)

James Houston (1921–2005) played a pivotal role in the development of contemporary Inuit art in Canada. In the late 1940s, he encouraged Inuit artists in the Arctic to create carvings, drawings, and prints for southern markets, helping to establish sustainable art practices within northern communities. Houston was instrumental in founding the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in Cape Dorset, which became a centre for Inuit printmaking. His efforts brought international recognition to Inuit art and laid the foundation for its global appreciation.