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Special exhibition Weathering climate change in the Arctic Amber Lincoln assesses the achievements of Arctic Peoples and their resilience in the face of current challenges At its heart, The Citi exhibition Arctic: culture and climate explores Indigenous perspectives on Arctic environments and histories, and addresses the timely topic of climate change through the lens of weather. Indigenous Arctic Peoples are at the front line of global climate change. The Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of anywhere else. Climate scientists predict that Arctic summers will be ice-free within 80 years, raising sea levels and altering weather patterns worldwide. Highlighting Indigenous perspectives on our rapidly changing world, this immersive exhibition will create an unparalleled opportunity to marvel at the achievements of Arctic Peoples (their hand-crafted tools, sewn garments, artwork, photography, films and stories) while learning from their resilience. Arctic Peoples have lived with climate variability and dramatic daily and seasonal weather fluctuations for 30,000 years. Through cultural adaptation, material innovation and social collaboration they have persevered amid intense environmental and social disruption. But if the Arctic is ice-free within 80 years, what will happen to these rich ways of life and artistic expressions centred on the ice and cold? The creation of this exhibition has been a collaborative endeavour and results from the tremendous commitment and contributions of numerous Arctic Peoples. Indigenous community and research partners generously shared their knowledge with us during research visits to Alaska, Canada and Sweden, and during museum documentation 28 British Museum Magazine Spring/Summer 2020 Kenojuak Ashevak, Nunavut Qajanartuk (Our Beautiful Land). Lithograph and watercolour, 1992. Reproduced with the permission of West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative.
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Special exhibition Arts cooperative founder Sheila Katsak and BM curator Amber Lincoln work together in Mittimatalik, Canada, 2019. Young people sewing their own printed parkas with Elders Nicotye Qimirpik and Siita Saila in 2019 in Kinngait, NU. Left to right, back row: Janine Manning, Kunu Pudlat, Siita Saila, Cie Taqiasuk, Alexa Hatanaka, Saaki Nuna, Nicotye Qimirpik; front row: David Pudlat, Iqaluk Quvianaqtuliaq. Photo by Patrick Thompson. British Museum Magazine Spring/Summer 2020 29

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Special exhibition

Weathering climate change in the Arctic

Amber Lincoln assesses the achievements of Arctic

Peoples and their resilience in the face of current challenges

At its heart, The Citi exhibition Arctic: culture and climate explores Indigenous perspectives on Arctic environments and histories, and addresses the timely topic of climate change through the lens of weather. Indigenous Arctic Peoples are at the front line of global climate change. The Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of anywhere else. Climate scientists predict that Arctic summers will be ice-free within 80 years, raising sea levels and altering weather patterns worldwide.

Highlighting Indigenous perspectives on our rapidly changing world, this immersive exhibition will create an unparalleled opportunity to marvel at the achievements of Arctic Peoples (their hand-crafted tools, sewn garments, artwork, photography, films and stories) while learning from their resilience. Arctic Peoples have lived with climate variability and dramatic daily and seasonal weather fluctuations for 30,000 years. Through cultural adaptation, material innovation and social collaboration they have persevered amid intense environmental and social disruption. But if the Arctic is ice-free within 80 years, what will happen to these rich ways of life and artistic expressions centred on the ice and cold?

The creation of this exhibition has been a collaborative endeavour and results from the tremendous commitment and contributions of numerous Arctic Peoples. Indigenous community and research partners generously shared their knowledge with us during research visits to Alaska, Canada and Sweden, and during museum documentation

28 British Museum Magazine Spring/Summer 2020

Kenojuak Ashevak, Nunavut Qajanartuk (Our Beautiful Land). Lithograph and watercolour, 1992. Reproduced with the permission of West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative.

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