Born 1975 in Montreal, Canada Lives and works in Kautokeino, Sápmi / Norway and Ottawa, Canada

“I make simple things with whatever materials are at hand – words, cloth, beads, unwanted items – because this is what gives me hope. ‘apirsait’ is a series of glass beadwork panels depicting creatures found in Inuit Nunangat (Inuit homeland). These represent spiritual helpers that are called on in times of need. Each piece is made with a dishcloth, scraps from my sewing of Inuit garments, dental floss and discarded plastic. My written work is concerned with posing questions about what is happening in the world around me. I write about Inuit experiences and what may be considered Indigenous issues – but to me, these are questions that are important to all humanity.”

Textile artist, writer and spoken-word poet Taqralik Partridge’s installation subtley navigates personal experiences of passing through the world, continuing cultural knowledge and language, and inscribing Indigenous stories and modes within urgent global issues. Her text work, inspired by a performance by the artist Denilson Baniwa and adapted into Inuktitut by Ida Saunders and Dharug Dalang by Corina Marino, forms it’s own network of responses to environmental devastation and futures framed within Indigenous ontologies and language. Taqralik Partridge is a textile artist, writer, and spoken word poet originally from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik. She is currently based in Guovdageaidnu, Sápmi, Norway.   Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney with generous assistance from the Office for Contemporary Art Norway and assistance from Canada Council for the Arts and Consulate General of Canada in Sydney. Courtesy the artist.