Cape Dorset
1991
Stone, antler
H 21.6cm
COMMENTS
Like many of the artists from Kinngait, Toonoo Sharky often distorts the form of birds and fish in order to achieve a more dynamic composition. Here, Sharky emphasizes the two most powerful aspects of any bird of prey: their powerful wings which give them speed, and their strong beaks which capture prey. Sharky even adds inlaid white stone around the sharply focused eyes to which the viewer’s attention is drawn by the slanting angle of the spread wings.
Qikiqtaaluk/ Baffin Region:
The primary art producing community in Nunavut is Kinngait (Cape Dorset). Located on the south west coast of Baffin Island, artists in Kinngaitdeveloped a distinctive style which ranged from lyrical to astonishingly intricate compositions. Blessed with quarries of beautiful veined stone ranging from white to dark green, artists could develop virtuoso carving techniques. Unlike the more narrative works from Nunavik, subject matter in this region tends to be more fantastic, featuring both traditional myths,individual flights of fantasy or abstracted form in order to achieve a more expressive work of art. Other settlements in the Baffin Region are also known for their fine sculptures; this collection includes works from Kimmirut, Iqaluit and Pangnirtung in southern Ba n Island as well as thenorthern hamlet of Clyde River.
£2,250