Joshua Qaumariaq was born and raised in Iqaluit, a child with a lively imagination who was always drawing and doodling. Today, he is a multidisciplinary Inuk artist who enjoys blending abstract and realist approaches to painting and creating a variety of new media or digital art. Drawing from his Inuit heritage and the fascinating stories he heard in his childhood, Joshua has long been captivated by mighty polar bears and other enigmatic or mysterious shapeshifting creatures. Also, an accomplished musician, Joshua performs across the Arctic with his band, The Trade-Offs, whose sound is described as “Arctic Soul.” His creative reach extends to musical theatre and television, including the recording a song for the hit TV show, North of North. For his residency project, Joshua plans to develop a series of large-scale paintings of Arctic animals, including massive bears and other elusive figures that connect physical and spiritual worlds, bringing to life some of his favourite narratives hidden within Nunavut’s vast landscapes.