Paper short abstract:

In this presentation I show 9 years of photography taken in Point Hope, a whaling community in the Arctic and the place of birth of my husband Othniel (Art) Oomittuk Jr. This is a portrait of the people, that are now my family, and a place that I regard my second home.

Paper long abstract:

In 2008, I went to Point Hope, an Inupiaq whaling community on a landspit in the Arctic Ocean. As a Dutch photographer I was to make pictures for an article about Shell’s plans to drill for oil.

During my two day stay in Point Hope I was so intrigued by life in this remote community that I planned a return, six months later, to make a photo-reportage about whaling. This time I stayed for two months, which was still too short to say anything about whaling, but long enough to fall in love with local artist and whaler Othniel Oomittuk Jr.

The following years were spent living between Point Hope and Amsterdam. I was accepted into the community. I learned about Inupiaq culture and values, about life in the Arctic, about the hunt. It wasn’t always easy. I had to let go of a set of fixed believes to be open enough to listen and learn. I observed and I photographed over 9 years.

Then I looked at my work and realised that what had so intrigued me about Point Hope was its unwavering sense of community and belonging. Western culture is focused on individuality, personal development, achievements, about making your own way. Living in Point Hope brought out the craving in me for community and opened my mind and heart for another way of living.

In 2018 I published the photobook ‘Maktak and Gasoline’ about life in Point Hope. I would like to present this work at RAI 2021.