A lifelong artist, Aqjangajuk Shaa is one of Cape Dorset’s “master carvers.” His career began at the age of seventeen with a sculpture sold to James Houston, and he would continue to carve through to the very end of his life. While his portrayal of Arctic wildlife made him a household name with collectors, dancing walruses became a signature of his skill and artistic bravado. Walruses are animals that might easily be described as inelegant and lumbering, but in Shaa’s hands they become graceful and even charming. Dancing animals by Shaa are known for their sense of fluid movement, and this Dancing Walrus is an energetic example. Twisting to unheard music, this walrus dynamically shifts and twirls on one well-balanced flipper. Dancing Walrus can be appreciated from every angle, his various flippers pointing out in various directions as he dances. Another hallmark of Shaa’s style is a minimal, controlled use of detail. His emphasis is on the sculptures having a “total effect” when viewed. Combined with fine finishing techniques on the dark green and black stone, this allows us to enjoy the work for its expressive qualities and form.

References: For major works by the artist see George Swinton, Sculpture of the Inuit, (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1972/92), figs.. 476-480, 894. For an early (1963) version that already clearly exhibits Aqjaganjuk’s penchant for dramatically posed animal subjects see Darlene Coward Wight The Jerry Twomey Collection, (Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2003), p. 57; and Jean Blodgett, Cape Dorset, (Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1980), cat. 64, p. 99. For an example from 2002 see Derek Norton and Nigel Reading, Cape Dorset Sculpture, (Vancouver: Douglas and McIntrye, 2005), p. 92. For other examples of Aqjangajuk’s powerful sculptural style see Ingo Hessel, Inuit Art: An Introduction, (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre / New York: Harry Abrams / London: British Museum Press, 1998), pl. 66, p. 88.