We recently connected with Chantal Jung and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Chantal thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was a collage spread for the Inuit Art Foundation. I am Inuk from Nunatsiavut within Inuit Nunangat, and as a Native person, staying connected to my culture is deeply important. Since I don’t currently live on my homelands, this project felt especially significant—it was an opportunity to honor my roots and celebrate my family through my art.

The artwork was a digital collage combined with animation, featuring the Northern Lights alongside deeply personal imagery. In the piece, my grandmother and mother are connected by a sewing thread as I stitch our traditional inukuluks, symbolizing the passing down of knowledge and tradition. I also created individual collages of my grandma and mom, each surrounded by flowers. This felt especially meaningful because our family name is Flowers, making the imagery even more personal and symbolic. Incorporating animation and digital collage allowed me to bring these elements to life in a way that felt both contemporary and deeply rooted in tradition.

Ultimately, this project was more than just an artwork—it was a way to honor the women who shaped me, celebrate my matriarchal lineage.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My art primarily consists of collage and animation, both of which I taught myself. I first got into collaging and stop-motion animation through zine-making, which I love because it’s such an accessible art form—anyone can create with found materials, making it open to all skill levels and backgrounds, and it allows both youth and elders to engage with and understand my work.

I often incorporate flora and fauna into my collages to tell stories about the places or people they represent. Many of my commissions focus on honoring a living being by pairing them with their favorite flowers and plants, creating deeply personal and meaningful pieces. It’s an incredible honor when people feel represented through my work, and that connection is what drives me as an artist.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is creating work that makes people feel seen and connected. Whether through collage, animation, or zine-making, I love that art can communicate in ways words sometimes cannot, evoking emotions, telling stories, and fostering a sense of belonging. It’s incredibly fulfilling when people resonate with my work—whether it brings them joy, nostalgia, or a deeper connection to their own creative mind.

I also find so much reward in the accessibility of art. Creativity is a constantly evolving journey, allowing me to explore new ideas, express myself freely, and honor the people and places that inspire me. Knowing that something I create can have a lasting impact on someone else is what makes being an artist so special.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society can best support artists and a thriving creative ecosystem by increasing funding opportunities and helping sustain artistic careers—especially for Indigenous, Black, and emerging creators. Providing affordable studio spaces, community art centers, and public platforms for showcasing work ensures that artists have the resources they need to create and share their art. Fair pay and recognition are important. Artists deserve to be compensated for their time and labor rather than being expected to work for exposure. Investing in arts education, mentorship programs, and accessible workshops helps foster creativity from a young age and supports the next generation of artists. Elevating diverse voices and ensuring cultural representation in the arts is essential, as is supporting independent publishing, grassroots initiatives, and traditional art practices. On an individual level, people can help by purchasing directly from artists, attending local art events, engaging with their work online, and advocating for their visibility. When artists are valued, fairly compensated, and given space to create, the entire community benefits from a richer, more vibrant art world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://piguttuk.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: @piguttuk
• Other: https://www.inuitartfoundation.org/lite/profiles/artist/Chantal-Jung-605

Image Credits

N/A