We have seen several examples of heads and faces carved by John Kavik, and this wonderful Head stands out as one of the finest; for a similarly striking and important Hooded Face from c. 1972 see Norman Zepp’s Pure Vision, cat. 63. Judging from its contours, this example might also be hooded. Head is a deceptively simple sculpture, simultaneously reduced to pure form but replete with implied detail and meaning. It’s a powerful work, in its own way every bit as riveting as John Tiktak’s Head of c. 1964-65 (see First Arts Auction December 2020, Lot 16) and Tuna Iquliq’s Head of 1964 (see First Arts Auction May 2019, Lot 48).

References: See the section on John Kavik in Norman Zepp, Pure Vision: The Keewatin Spirit, (Regina: Norman Mackenzie Art Gallery, 1986), pages 108-119. For other heads by the artist see Walker’s Auctions, Nov. 2014, Lot 214; Nov. 2017, Lot 101.