We know that Judas Ullulaq began making small carvings and models in 1961, and he carved whale bone in the late 1960s; there are virtually no documented pieces by him from the 1970s, however, so it is safe to assume that he carved only sporadically during these years. Ullulaq may have felt slightly intimidated by the extraordinary success of his nephew Karoo Ashevak (1940-1974) in those years. He began to carve more seriously just before his move to Uqsuqtuuq (Gjoa Haven) in 1982, and it was there that his art and his career blossomed. Ullulaq quickly forged a strong personal style and was given two successful solo shows in southern galleries in 1983. He himself soon became the most important and influential artist in the Kitikmeot region.

Excited Fisherman was carved about a year after his delightful Drum Dancer from c. 1983 (see First Arts Auctions, 5 Dec. 2022, Lot 133). It shares several stylistic attributes with that fine work but is even closer in style to the artist’s Tiqmiaqhiuqtuq (Bird Hunter) of 1984 (see Darlene Wight’s WAG Netsilik catalogue, cat. 148). Wight correctly observes that many of the wonderfully expressive faces of Ullulaq’s hunters and fishermen are self-portraits. Those of us who were lucky enough to spend time with him fondly recall Ullulaq’s apparently inexhaustible cheerfulness, his sense of humour, and his infectious smile and lively eyes. Indeed, there is no question in our minds that Excited Fisherman depicts Ullulaq himself.

This sculpture is classic Ullulaq, a masterpiece of the artist’s early mature style. The overall composition of the sculpture is beautifully conceived (we love the way the figure is balanced on his knees!) The fisherman’s body is realistic in pose and carefully modeled, with a handsome matte finish. Ullulaq also pays careful attention to the kakivak (fishing spear) and jigger (he enjoyed fashioning dolls and other craft items as a young boy [1]). But it is clearly to the figure’s head and face that Ullulaq has devoted special attention; the face is brilliantly carved, with exaggerated but not grotesque features. With his inlaid muskox horn eyes and teeth, protruding tongue, bulging cheeks, large ears, and hair swept back from an almost non-existent forehead, Excited Fisherman is one of the most expressive, engaging, and charming sculptures ever created by this beloved artist.

1. See Darlene Coward Wight, Art & Expression of the Netsilik, 2000, p. 152.

References:For a similarly themed work by the artist in the National Gallery of Canada collection see Christine Lalonde, Sanaugavut: Inuit Art from the Canadian Arctic, (Ottawa: National Gallery of Canada, 2010), cat. 32, p. 72, and Darlene Coward Wight, Art & Expression of the Netsilik, (Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2000), cat. 149; the section on this important artist in Wight’s Netsilik catalogue is extensive, pp. 152-171. See also Innuit Gallery of Eskimo Art, Ooloolah Spence Bay (Toronto: 1983), solo exhibition catalogue; Canadian Arctic Producers, Judas Ooloolah (1983), solo exhibition catalogue. For more thematically related works see Ingo Hessel, Arctic Spirit: Inuit Art from the Albrecht Collection at the Heard Museum (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre/Phoenix: Heard Museum, 2006), pp. 126-127.