Tiktak probably carved his first true cluster of heads and faces around 1967, very soon creating one of his enduring masterpieces, the monumental Heads Emerging from Stone from 1967 or 1968, in the Canadian Museum of History collection; the imagery quickly became one of his favourite subjects. Our research suggests that our version of this theme is a very early example likely predating the CMH work. The highly distinctive facial features of this Heads Emerging from Stone are remarkably similar to those found in Standing Stone Figure, sold by Tiktak to James Houston in 1967 (see reference). The unusual treatment of the close-set, mask-like eyes leads us to believe that Tiktak was experimenting not only with subject matter but also with the stylistic treatment of the human face. Notably, there is considerable stylistic variation amongst the five faces. Heads Emerging from Stone is a fascinating and quite riveting work of art.

References: The highly distinctive treatment of the heads’ facial features reminds us of a Standing Figure dated to 1967, formerly in the collection of James Houston; see Maria von Finckenstein, editor, Celebrating Inuit Art 1948-1970 (Gatineau: Canadian Museum of Civilization, 1999) p. 177. For important examples of a similar theme by Tiktak see Ingo Hessel, Inuit Art: An Introduction (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1998), fig. 76; also Gerald McMaster, editor, Inuit Modern: The Samuel and Esther Sarick Collection (Toronto: Art Gallery of Ontario, 2010), p. 127; Jean Blodgett, Grasp Tight the Old Ways: Selections from the Klamer Family Collection of Inuit Art (Toronto: Art Gallery of Ontario, 1983), cat. 147; George Swinton, Tiktak: Sculptor from Rankin Inlet, N.W.T. (Winnipeg: Gallery One-One-One, University of Manitoba, 1970), cat. 48; and Norman Zepp, Pure Vision: The Keewatin Spirit (Regina: Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, 1986), cat. 52. See First Arts Auctions, July 2020, Lot 18 for another important example.