John Kavik, one of the two most important sculptors from Rankin Inlet, was born in the 19th century and lived almost until the 21st! During his lengthy career (which began when Kavik was already in his sixties) he carved numerous masterpieces, but also a large number of charming, small works made to put bread on the table. The best way to appreciate his smaller works is to think of them as sketches – much as we admire quickly drawn sketches by renowned painters in the Euro-American tradition. Kavik’s Hooded Figure with Hand to Mouth is ambiguous in meaning. It most likely depicts a person eating, but we can’t help thinking that it might represent someone having a laugh. Of course, it’s always possible that the figure is coughing. Also, for such a seemingly simple carving, Hooded Figure has a lovely sense of movement and a real personality.