Inuit – Impressions of the Canadian Far North

Contemporary Inuit art at the Museum

From 16 October 2026, the Museum presents a major exhibition dedicated to contemporary Inuit art from Nunavut and Nunavik, in the Canadian Arctic. Bringing together nearly 250 works — including sculptures, drawings and, above all, prints — the exhibition offers a panorama of around 70 years of artistic creation.

In Europe, Inuit art has long been associated primarily with sculpture. Yet Inuit artists have also developed a remarkable graphic tradition that remains relatively unfamiliar to European audiences, despite being widely recognised in Canada. One of its leading figures is Kenojuak Ashevak, whose work is notably featured on the Canadian $10 banknote.

The exhibition highlights artists with distinctive and powerful visual languages who, across several generations, have continually expanded and reinvented the forms and subjects of Inuit art. Particular attention is given to women artists, whose contribution to Inuit graphic art has been especially significant.

The voices of Inuit artists at the heart of the exhibition

Rather than taking an ethnographic approach focused solely on the description of a culture, the exhibition places the artists themselves at the centre of the story. The project reflects a museum practice that pays close attention to relationships with communities of origin and to the living voices that continue to shape, renew and question artistic practices in the Arctic today.

Shamanism, mythology, the polar night, Arctic wildlife and relationships with the land are presented alongside deeply contemporary themes such as social change, gender relations and climate change. Through their work, the artists explore their surroundings and engage with the realities of a world undergoing profound transformation.

Their voices are also present throughout the exhibition through the artists’ own comments on their works. The exhibition also introduces the different techniques used in their artistic practices, offering insight into how the works were created.

In doing so, it invites visitors to move beyond the stereotypes often associated with Inuit peoples and to discover artists with powerful and distinctive visual worlds, as well as a living, diverse and resolutely contemporary artistic practice.

A major cultural project

In scale, the exhibition is a first in Europe and ranks among the most significant exhibitions of contemporary Inuit art ever presented on the continent.

The exhibition draws in particular on the collection of writer and poet Carl Norac, alongside loans from Belgian and European museums. An immersive scenography and an extensive programme of activities — including workshops, lectures, film screenings, talks and cultural events — will complement the presentation of the works.

Activities

During the exhibition, the museum will organize a varied programme of activities for the public. More information about the activities and any registration details will follow.

• 17 October 2026 – Museum Night Fever
• 24 October 2026 – Event in collaboration with Davidsfonds (in Dutch)
• 26–30 October 2026 – Holiday camp for children aged 6–12 (in French)
• 2–6 November 2026 – Holiday camp for children aged 6–12 (in Dutch)
• 8 November 2026 – 11 April 2027 – Lecture series (on Sundays: 8 November and 13 December 2026; 10 January, 14 February, 14 March and 11 April 2027)
• 15 November 2026 – Kids' Art Day
• 19 November 2026 – 15 April 2027 – Late openings (on Thursdays: 19 November and 17 December 2026; 21 January, 18 February, 18 March and 15 April 2027)
• 19 November 2026 – 15 April 2027 – Guided visits (on Thursdays: 19 November and 17 December 2026; 21 January, 18 February, 18 March and 15 April 2027)
• 19 December 2026 – 3 January 2027 – Family activities during the Christmas holidays
• 8–12 February 2027 – Holiday camp for children aged 6–12 (in Dutch)
• 22–26 February 2027 – Holiday camp for children aged 6–12 (in French)
• 21 March 2027 - Inuit babies, family day for the littlest ones

Visiting

• Let yourself be led by the sound walk created by the artists of Créahmbxl. Download the ErfgoedApp and select the ‘Inuit’ tour. Slow down, listen and look at the artworks from a different perspective. The audio clips are supplemented with additional texts compiled by co-curator Anne-Françoise Martin. Highly recommended! Bring your own device and earphones. 
• Kids, challenge yourselves! Throughout the exhibition, you’ll find four activity tables. Rub and give the animals a new coat of fur, make the creatures change shape, try your hand at an authentic Inuit string game and crack the Inuktitut code! 
• Need a sit-down? Settle into the iglu. Here, children can play and read books or kamishibai stories. On the tables, you’ll find creative exercises, all in keeping with the theme.  

GROUP VISITS

Book a guided tour and get so much more out of your visit! Click to find out more: 

• Adults in group: € 120 (guide) + € 14 per person (group ticket). One free accompanying adult per group of 15 participants. Duration: 90 minutes. 
• School groups: € 105 (guide) + € 0 (ticket – under 19 y.o.) / € 9 per person (ticket – 19–25 y.o.). 1 free accompanying adult per group of 15 participants. Duration: 90 mins. 
• Visually impaired visitors: € 120 (guide) + € 0 (ticket for visually impaired visitors and one accompanying adult). Maximum of 7 participants and their accompanying adults. Duration: 90 mins. 

Book your visit using the request forms provided under each option, at least 3 weeks in advance. 

For any other questions or comments, please contact us by email