The mother and child motif is a pillar of Inuit art, an important and much-loved theme that runs throughout the history of the movement. With this work, Thomas Sivuraq has created an imposing yet wonderfully charming variation on the subject. Carved in the dense black stone that has become synonymous with Qamani’tuaq, this piece has been beautifully worked. The figures have been refined to create lovely curves and subtle details, especially in the faces. It is in the rendering of faces that Sivuraq has distinguished himself from the Baker Lake mainstream. Compared to similar compositions by his half-brother Peter Sevoga, for example, Sivuraq strives for expressive realism in facial features. The mother, kneeling on the floor, gives support to the two children around her and smiles, not just with her mouth but also with her eyes. The older child clings to its mother’s arm and shoulder, curious about what is ahead of them while quietly relying on her for safety. The younger child, comfortable and snug in its mother’s amaut, peers over her other shoulder, unbothered by whatever comes forward. One can imagine the words of comfort or assurance coming from the mother to her children, calm and strong, with a feeling of contentment, much like this work.