Oviloo was well known for her superb depictions of birds even before she became famous for her soulful depictions of women (see Lot 34). Alighting Hawk is proof that Oviloo could carve as well as any of her male rivals. The power and beauty of the raptor are beautifully captured in details both large and small. The bird’s strong wings thrust upwards and back, stretching the tensile durability of the serpentine stone, and creating a gesture that suggests the resistance to an invisible wind as the bird of prey alights on the ground. Echoing the curve of the hawk’s powerful body, even the arch of the bird’s talons is impressive and authoritative. Oviloo’s exacting standards and understanding of sculptural form combine to create an image that despite its considerable size and heft, exhibits lightness and grace as well. Alighting Hawk is a brilliant sculpture in the finest Cape Dorset tradition.