The Art of Survival: A Modern day Inuit Odyssey through the Arts | Sophia Lebessis | TEDxYYC

Speaking through both her Inuit and Greek heritage, Inuit art dealer, Sophia Lebessis, takes us on an Odyssey through the Inuit art world she was born in to. Sophia draws parallels of the Inuit imagination, their history and artistic expression to give us a new way of appreciating their art through her unique upbringing. Sophia is paving the way for the next generation of Inuit art dealers to reflect on a more truthful history that Canada and world need to hear. Owner of Transformation Fine Art, Canada’s first Inuk owned Inuit art gallery located in Calgary’s historic Grain Exchange Building, Sophia Lebessis is paving the way for the next generation of Inuit entrepreneurs to edify their art from their perspective.
Inuit on her mother’s side and Greek on her father’s, Lebessis was raised in Arviat, Nunavut. Her childhood was spent in Canada’s Arctic and Greece where from a young age her keen eye for art was developed. Lebessis is a descendant of the Idlout family depicted on the Canadian two-dollar bill, a currency artifact that depicts a dark time in Canadian history.
Lebessis has called Calgary home since 2002. She moved here to attend post-secondary school, and graduated from the University of Calgary with a BA in Communications and recently graduated with a Masters in Adult Education. Transformation Fine Art, specializing in Master Works of Inuit and First Nations art, is an individually tailored experience for collectors of any budget. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@melissaknoop9079]

Thank you for educating with such eloquence.

[@donnfranzen3922]

Wow ! So nice to see you keeping the legacy alive Sophia, and to see you doing well.Hopefully sometime when we are in Calgary we could see you again,its been awhile since we saw you at Andrea's wedding. Wishing you success and good health !

[@bucknutz9290]

Great job, Sophia! Art, is a window into the human soul. I had no idea of your father's passing, I offer my condolences.

[@bucknutz9290]

This is Louis, by the way.

[@christosvritsios8177]

Thank you for thoughtful, educational, and personal talk.

[@nosxman]

Amazing, awesome, emotional

Hey