JOE TALIRUNILI (1893-1976) PUVIRNITUQ (POVUNGNITUK)

In previous notes we have suggested that no two Joe sculptures are alike but rather are variations on a theme. Such is the case with this wonderful Mother and Child, with Water Pail and Scoop, which provides an excellent contrast to the Mother and Child in our June 2022 auction (Lot 73). Whereas that work featured meticulously carved details rendered in Joe’s famous rough and ready style, this sculpture seems to concentrate more on overall shape and form. Furthermore, its impressively large size and broad volumes give it a commanding presence. We sense the weight of the child in its mother’s pouch and admire the fullness and crisp lines of her amautiq. Interestingly, the woman wears a skirt rather than pants, a fashion seen often in Salluit sculpture (see Lot 70) but seldom in Puvirnituq.

In fact, had the heads and faces of the figures not been so obviously in Talirunili’s style and large in proportion, one could be forgiven for wondering whether this wonderful work might have been carved by a Salluit sculptor in the 1950s. Its size, smoothly sanded surface, and even some details have a similar sensibility. We suppose it is possible that Joe had admired a Salluit sculpture and decided to pay homage to the style.

Although we have a soft spot for Talirunili sculptures in general, this piece truly strikes a chord. We are not the only ones to admire it, however, as one can see from the patina on the rear of this sculpture that it has been lovingly and repeatedly cradled by human hands!