“Just as Pitseolak Ashoona based her art on her culture and community background, I decided to also find my meaning by researching my culture back in Africa. The art work is based on the symbols (Adinkra) of my country, Ghana, with significant meanings and teachings. They are important in the way of life of my people. The title Roots is ‘finding my meaning through my ancestors.’ Finding all the beauty and even the history of war which led to an even brighter culture and way of art. The colours in the art work signify that. And the woman in the painting signifies me or any other person looking at one of the symbols which means harmony, faithfulness, love, and loyalty. Sometimes finding a place gives you all these things.”
— Angel Frimpong (Grade 12, Louis St. Laurent, Edmonton, Alberta)

Community and cultural knowledge are at the heart of the work of Inuit artist Pitseolak Ashoona (c.1904–1983), a seminal figure in the establishment of modern Inuit art and the visual transmission of Inuit knowledge for future generations.