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Artworks
ISAH QUMALU SIVUARAPI (1925-1979) PUVIRNITUQ (POVUNGNITUK)
Crawling Hunter with Harpoon and Line, late 1950sstone, ivory, and sealskin, 16.5 x 9.75 x 7 in (41.9 x 24.8 x 17.8 cm)
seemingly unsigned;
given to the artist on the accompanying typeset label.
LOT 74
ESTIMATE: $4,000 — $6,000
PRICE REALIZED: $9,000.00Further images
Although unsigned this sculpture is unmistakably by the hand of Isah Qumalu Sivuarapi, who was one of the most gifted of the early Puvirnituq sculptors and a founding member of...Although unsigned this sculpture is unmistakably by the hand of Isah Qumalu Sivuarapi, who was one of the most gifted of the early Puvirnituq sculptors and a founding member of the Povungnituk Sculptors Society, which later became the Co-operative Association of Povungnituk (now Puvirnituq). Isah’s works are easily recognized for their carefully rendered details. Note the wonderfully etched facial hair and eyebrows on this sculpture as well as the attention paid to the construction of the garments. While this piece likely dates to the latter half of the 1950s, Isah has retained the use of ivory inlay more common to works from the first half of the decade. This exceptional work certainly rivals the sculptures of Isah Qumalu’s better known older brother Charlie Sivuarapik (1911-1968).
References: For another fine figure of a hunter by the artist see Jean Blodgett, Povungnituk, (Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1978), cat. 57 (pp. 6 and 73). See also Céline Saucier and Eugen Kedl, Image Inuit du Nouveau-Québec, (Montreal: Fides / Musée de la civilisation, 1988), p. 130 for another, later work of high realism by the artist. For a similarly posed hunter by fellow artist Levi Qumaluk see George Swinton, Eskimo Sculpture, (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, Ltd., 1965), p. 102; and George Swinton, Sculpture of the Inuit, (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1972/92), fig. 332, p. 166.Provenance
Important Private Collection, Canada.
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