Son of the late sculptor Sharky Nuna, Taqialuk (also known as Tuk or Tuq) learned to carve by observing and assisting his father. Growing up with a sculptor parent often served as a de facto apprenticeship, with the child roughing out works in progress and polishing finished pieces. Tuk made his first carving at age eight but only chose to pursue art as a profession in his late twenties, dividing his time equally between hunting and carving.

Although he has produced several sculptures of people, he favours depictions of animals, particularly polar bears. Tuk’s works are distinguished by smooth, rounded forms that balance realism with abstraction. His strongest works are compositions of two, three, or more conjoined bears, usually a mother and her cubs, as in the present work. Here, the cubs’ stance conveys curiosity and play, as if they are tentatively exploring the world under their mother’s watchful care. Their softened features, with bright eyes and delicately rendered paws, invite affection rather than intimidation. All together the trio radiates an irresistible sweetness, a vision of familial closeness and gentle affection carved in stone.

MBL