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Artworks
LUKE ANOWTALIK (1932-2006) ARVIAT (ESKIMO POINT)
Humans, Animals, and Altar, c. late 1990santler, 10.5 x 12.5 x 7 in (26.7 x 31.8 x 17.8 cm)
unsigned.LOT 19
ESTIMATE: $1,800 — $2,800Further images
This work, carved from caribou antler, exemplifies both technical precision and a profound sensitivity to the natural contours of the material. The artist employs a minimal yet evocative style, allowing...This work, carved from caribou antler, exemplifies both technical precision and a profound sensitivity to the natural contours of the material. The artist employs a minimal yet evocative style, allowing simple forms to resonate with a deeply layered narrative.
At the heart of the composition stands a central figure, lifting an animal aloft—likely a caribou whose antlers resemble birds, with a small bird perched on its back. The figure’s pose suggests an act of offering or triumph, imbuing the scene with a sense of ceremony. Nearby, a cross on a small altar introduces Christian symbolism, inviting a nuanced dialogue between traditional and spiritual imagery. In the background, a mother and child quietly observe, their presence lending an air of reverence to the tableau.
In contrast, the foreground bursts with energy as a dog leaps forward, its elongated body and sweeping tail animating the scene. Much like the finest works of Luke Anowtalik, the brilliance of this piece lies not only in the finesse of its carving but in its ability to seamlessly bridge cultural and spiritual worlds with quiet sophistication and grace.
Provenance
Private Collection, USA;
A Toronto Collection.