Unlike some Inuit drawings and prints, sculptures rarely present more than one key element of a narrative. Ullulaq’s piece is unusual in that it shows both the first and last parts of the best known section of the story of the blind boy and the loon, sometimes referred to as the legend of Lumaaq. The carving illustrates the blind boy killing the bear that threatens his family; leaves out the sections in which the boy is betrayed by his mother, but regains his sight with the help of a loon; and then picks up the story showing the boy’s revenge, with his mother being dragged off by a beluga whale.

Collection records indicate that this scene was carved by Ullulaq in 1975. If that is correct, this work is one of the very few documented pieces by the famous artist from the 1970s, and might explain the carving’s realistic style and narrative approach. One subtle hint that this fascinating work is by Ullulaq is the carefully inlaid ivory and stone eyes.