A British Museum Partnership Exhibition Arctic Expressions
Shedding Natchiayaaq from Kigiktaq - Erin Ggaadimits Ivalu Gingrich © The Trustees of the British Museum
Arctic Expressions: New British Museum Partnership Exhibition Showcasing Indigenous Artistry Opens at Kirkleatham Museum
LONDON, 19 March 2025: A remarkable new British Museum Partnership Exhibition, Arctic Expressions, will bring the vibrant artistry and resilience of Indigenous Arctic communities to Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, from 7 June to 28 September 2025. The exhibition highlights the profound beauty and challenges of life in the Arctic through a diverse collection of historic and contemporary works.
Arctic Expressions explores the daily lives of Indigenous Peoples from Alaska and Canada, showcasing how these communities have adapted to socio-political and environmental changes over time. Artistic expression plays a central role in navigating these transitions, with themes of seasonality, human-animal relationships, and migration woven throughout the exhibition.
Among the highlights is a newly commissioned artwork by Alaska Native, Koyukon Dené, and Iñupiaq artist Erin Ggaadimits Ivalu Gingrich. Her piece, Shedding Natchiayaaq from Kigiktaq, depicts a seal’s transformation from infancy to youth, reflecting the critical role of camouflage and adaptation in Arctic survival. This contemporary work will be displayed alongside a historic seal decoy helmet collected during Captain James Cook’s final voyage to North America (1776–1780), underscoring the enduring spiritual and cultural importance of seals to Arctic Indigenous communities.
The exhibition will feature 15 significant works from the British Museum collection, including:
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Kenojuak Ashevak (1927–2013), Nunavut Qajanartuk (Our Beautiful Land) – A hand-drawn lithograph illustrating the six seasons of the Inuit calendar, reflecting how life changes with the Arctic’s shifting environment.
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Paul Toolooktook (1947–2003), Family Reuniting – A steatite carving that captures movement and emotion through minimalist form, showcasing the intimate connections of Inuit families.
Bringing Arctic Art to Classrooms
As part of the British Museum in your classroom programme, developed in partnership with Tees Valley Museums, objects featured in Arctic Expressions will visit Green Gates Primary School in Redcar and Errington Primary School in Marske. Through interactive virtual lessons and hands-on activities, students will embark on a creative journey, gaining a deeper understanding of Arctic environments and Indigenous cultures while producing their own artwork inspired by the exhibition.
Celebrating Inuit Artistic Communities
The exhibition also highlights the evolution of Inuit artistic cooperatives such as the Kinngait Cooperative (formerly the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative) in Nunavut, Canada. These organizations were established to promote Inuit artists’ work and provide sustainable incomes, introducing new artistic forms like printmaking and influencing the development of contemporary Inuit art.
Nunavut Qajanartuk (Our Beautiful Land) - Kenojuak Ashevak © The Trustees of the British Muse
Quotes from Project Partners
Sarah Saunders, Head of Learning and National Partnerships at the British Museum, said:
“This inspiring exhibition is part of the British Museum in your classroom programme, empowering children and teachers to create engaging learning experiences. By connecting directly with these artworks and objects—whether in the classroom or at the exhibition—students and visitors alike will deepen their appreciation for the culture, environment, and artistry of Arctic Indigenous Peoples.”
Rose Taylor, Curator, Americas at the British Museum, commented:
“We are thrilled to partner with Kirkleatham Museum to present an exhibition that introduces audiences to the cultural and artistic history of Indigenous Arctic communities. From renowned Inuit artists to contemporary voices like Erin Ggaadimits Ivalu Gingrich, Arctic Expressions captures the enduring connection between Arctic Peoples, their environment, and the animals they share it with.”
Cllr Carrie Richardson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate and Culture at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, added:
“It’s an incredible opportunity for Kirkleatham Museum and local schools to collaborate with experts from one of the world’s most prestigious museums. This exhibition offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and cultures of Arctic Indigenous Peoples, and I’m confident it will captivate visitors from across the region. The educational programme, in particular, promises to create lasting memories for the children involved.”
Wooden snow shoes © The Trustees of the British Museum
Exhibition Details:
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Title: Arctic Expressions
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Dates: 7 June – 28 September 2025
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Venue: Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar
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More Information: Visit britishmuseum.org/arcticexpressions
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About the British Museum’s National Strategy
The British Museum is dedicated to sharing its collection and expertise to create positive educational, social, and economic impact across the UK. In 2023/24, the Museum lent nearly 2,000 objects to over 100 museums and galleries, reaching approximately 8 million visitors beyond London. Through its partnerships, the Museum offers fresh perspectives on global history, reflecting diverse voices and experiences.
The British Museum also leads the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) in England, which records and shares archaeological discoveries to enhance our collective understanding of the past.
The British Museum’s National Programmes work is supported by the Dorset Foundation in memory of Harry M Weinrebe.
Family Reuniting - Paul Toolooktook. © The Trustees of the British Museum