NorthSprawled across the walls of the arena are depictions of life in Nunavik – graffiti style. Local youth and a self-described “alchemist” are the artists behind the work. Youth say the mural reflects their connection to their cultureSamuel Wat · CBC News · Posted: Nov 17, 2025 3:14 PM EST | Last Updated: November 17Listen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.A young woman painting a beluga on a mural. Four Kuujjuaq youth and a Quebec artist have brought street art to a community gathering space. (Photo by Samuel Lagacé)The inside of the Kuujjuaq Forum Community Centre may look a little more urban these days.Sprawled across the walls of the arena are depictions of life in Nunavik — graffiti style.Earlier this month, the non-profit organization Societe Kuujjuamiut Inc. brought together four local youth and David Desharnais-Yergeau, a Quebec artist who goes by MONK.E, to bring the mural to life.As a graffiti artist and urban painter, Desharnais-Yergeau describes himself as an alchemist and believes that style of art has the power to transform the experiences of people’s everyday lives into something magical on a canvas.These are the four Kuujjuaq youth, the Quebec artist, and a member of Societe Kuujjuaqmiut Inc., who helped bring this project to life (Photo by Samuel Lagacé)“Street art is for everybody and it’s on the street, it’s in our community. It’s not something private with the perfect wine and the perfect lighting and only invitation. No, it’s there in your corner store, in the cultural centre,” he said. 17-year-old Gloria Forrest is one of the artists that worked on the mural. She said she’s always been into sewing and beading, but hadn’t really dabbled in street art before this experience.“But I find it really cool,” she said. Gloria Forrest said there’s a magical feeling seeing this depiction of a tupiq (tent) glowing in the dark. (Photo by Samuel Lagacé)All the artists shared the workload for the entire mural but Forrest says one part that shows a tupiq (tent) is an homage to her own experiences on the land — including camping in a spot about three hours out of town nestled next to a lake.“There are some tents not far away from us and it was just glowing in the background. It was beautiful and it reminds me of that,” she said. For another mural artist, Sarali Angnatuk it’s a depiction of family that stands out. For most of Angnatuk’s life, the 18-year-old says she has felt disconnected from her culture having lived with several different families. That’s why she says she’s most drawn to a painting of a mother with a baby in her amauti. “I believe [the art is] for family, for me … [seeing] the mother, the kids, the father, like I have quite a few now,” she said.Sarali Angnatuk said she’s been part of many families growing up. This painting, especially the part showing the mother with a baby in her amauti, really speaks to her. (Photo by Samuel Lagacé)McDonald’s doesn’t have a Michelin starHaving helped create more than 1,000 murals around the world, Desharnais-Yergeau does not go for art that is plain — and he doesn’t believe today’s youth want that either.Gesturing to the cloak, hat and feathers he usually wears when he’s not painting, he said he’s no stranger to people feeling discomfort at his style.“My art form is made to shock certain people,” he said. “That’s what art is supposed to be. It’s not supposed to be mild and for everyone. “That’s called McDonald’s. McDonald’s is the restaurant that everyone likes, but McDonald’s doesn’t have a Michelin star,” he said.Community members, including local police officers, stopped by to admire the work. (Photo by Samuel Lagacé)Instead of imposing his own vision, Desharnais-Yergeau said it’s about the community taking the lead to share their stories.And some of the young artists already have plans to bring their new skills back home. Angnatuk says she’s planning another mural in honour of Sedna, the sea goddess.Taking inspiration from the goddess of the sea, Sarali Angnatuk already has plans to paint another mural in her community. (Photo by Samuel Lagacé)Forrest also sees the mural in the arena as a way to bring people together. “The forum here is mainly for families, and festivals … I think it’s a really good idea that we have a little family in our mural,” she said. ABOUT THE AUTHORSamuel Wat is a senior writer for CBC North, based in Yellowknife. He has worked as a producer and reporter with CBC in Iqaluit and Ottawa, and for public and state broadcasters in New Zealand before that. You can reach him at samuel.wat@cbc.ca
Street art meets Inuit culture in new Kuujjuaq, Que. mural
