Although Karoo is most famous for his larger, more elaborate constructions, he also enjoyed carving “snack-sized” works. Of these, his small heads are the most charming and compelling. This particularly fine Head is, simply, a fabulous sculpture. We know it dates from 1971, which makes it an important early exemplar of one of his most famous innovations: the mismatching of eyes. Not just the eyes, but all of the facial features here are beautifully formed and already “classic” Karoo. We could name several works from the following year, 1972, that immortalize these features but will for now mention one superb example: Spirit Figure in the Sarick Collection at the AGO. [1] Please feel free to find more yourself. Head has a delightful childlike quality to it; perhaps it grew up and became Spirit Figure!

1. Illustrated in Ingo Hessel, Inuit Art: An Introduction, (Vancouver: D&M, 1998), pl. 89, p. 111; and in Gerald McMaster ed., Inuit Modern: The Samuel and Esther Sarick Collection, (Toronto: AGO, 2010), pp. 118-119; also in George Swinton, Sculpture of the Inuit, (Toronto: M&S, 1992 only), fig. 832, p. 249.

References: For similar or similarly styled works by Karoo Ashevak see First Arts, 12 July 2020, Lot 40 (also illustrated in American Indian Arts Center, Karoo Ashevak: Spirits, 1972, cat. 11); First Arts, 12 June 2023, Lot 43; Ingo Hessel, Inuit Art (1998), pl. 89, p. 111; Jean Blodgett, Karoo Ashevak (Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1977), cats. 8, 9, 11; and Jean Blodgett, Grasp Tight the Old Ways: Selections from the Klamer Family Collection of Inuit Art,, (Toronto: Art Gallery of Ontario, 1983), cat. 158, p. 240.