As noted in lot 79, Joe most often turned to the human figure as well as the owl as subjects. All the more remarkable, then, to encounter not only a caribou from his hand but also this Alert Arctic Hare, an uncommon and joyful surprise. Like Joe’s finest carvings, this work possesses a presence that feels immediate and alive. The hare sits upright on its haunches, forepaws pressed forward in a compact and deliberate pose. Its long ears rise in mirrored unison, extending the figure’s vertical line, as though the animal is attuned to the faintest sound beyond our sight. All together, this little fellow lingers in suspension, packed with playful potential, as if poised to pounce or spring to life at any second. Joe’s humour, which so often animates his art, comes through here as well. Finely observed details capture the essence of the hare: the rounded nose is enlivened with tiny incised dots that suggest whiskers, while the mouth is accented by two pronounced front teeth, giving the animal an endearing and comical appearance.

ND