Before his move to the Hudson Bay coast Marc Alikaswa lived inland near the famous Ennadai Lake camp led by Aulatjut and his wife Nutaraaluk. A cheerful, unassuming man, he was however admired as a spirited drum dancer who travelled south to perform on numerous occasions. The great majority of Alikaswa’s works are small and modest carvings, whereas his monumental pieces can be powerful and evocative sculptures. This Family Group combines these qualities beautifully. Expansive and massive, the image is utterly charming as well. We feel the solidity of the stone and sense the rawness of its manufacture but are also attracted by the disarming nature of the woman’s welcoming gesture and the simple yet expressive faces of the couple.

References: For similar examples of figural ceramic pots by Kavik see First Arts, 13 July 2021, Lot 88; Ingo Hessel, Arctic Spirit: Inuit Art from the Albrecht Collection at the Heard Museum, (Phoenix: Heard Museum/Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2006), fig. 124; and Walker’s Auctions, Ottawa, May 2013, Lot 139. For a larger-scale example see Christine Lalonde and Natalie Ribkoff, ItuKiagatta!: Inuit Sculpture from the Collection of the TD Bank Financial Group, (Ottawa: National Gallery of Canada, 2005), cat 25, p. 54.