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Artworks
JUTAI TOONOO (1959-2015) KINNGAIT (CAPE DORSET)
What is This? [Man Holding a Sphere], 2011oilstick on paper, 42 x 29.75 in (106.7 x 75.6 cm)
titled, dated, and signed, "ᓱᓇᐅᓇ / 2011 / ᔪUᑐᓄ".Lot 40
ESTIMATE: $6,000 — $9,000
PRICE REALIZED: $12,000.00Jutai Toonoo, a sculptor and graphic artist from Kinngait, had an incredibly enquiring mind. He was well read, interested in global issues, and in his own way a philosopher who...Jutai Toonoo, a sculptor and graphic artist from Kinngait, had an incredibly enquiring mind. He was well read, interested in global issues, and in his own way a philosopher who questioned the status quo constantly. This intriguing close-up image shows a face (no doubt Jutai’s own) staring with rapt concentration at a mysterious sphere-like object delicately held in his hand. The sphere echoes the iris in the man’s eye, creating a strong tension between the two separate elements of the drawing. The modelling of the face and hand are realistic, defined by areas of shadow and light, contrasting starkly with the smooth contour of the sphere. Jutai Toonoo often created works of art that elicited strong feelings from the viewer; this wonderfully perplexing image of riveted, intense concentration certainly captures one’s attention! What indeed is this?Provenance
Feheley Fine Arts, Toronto;
Acquired from the above by John and Joyce Price, Seattle.