The gripping nature of present work results from its paradoxical nature and metaphoric resonance. Made using Nasogaluak’s skillful carving style and finely polished finish, Seal Stuck in Oil Drum, is a work of highly keyed beauty but also of undeniable shock value, in its daring representation of the ways in which man has adversely affected the Arctic marine environment. The downward dive of the seal is literally interrupted by the drum, which bisects its smooth, black form in two. Using this bold and powerful representation, Nasogaluk forces the viewer to confront the problematic and complex relation of humans and the natural world.