Spirit Faces (Tooth Pull)
35.6 cms x 48.3 cms x 15.19 cms (14.02 ins x 19.02 ins x 14.02 ins)
Spence Bay / Taloyoak
Lot offered for sale by Waddington's, Toronto at the auction event "Inuit Art Auction" held on Tue, Nov 22, 2016.
Lot 80
Lot 80
Estimate: CAD $35,000 - $45,000
Sale price withheld by the Auction house
Sale price withheld by the Auction house
Lot description - from the online catalogue*
Provenance:
Acquired directly from the artist by a gallery owner, Yellowknife,
By descent to present owner, British Columbia
Notes:
Karoo Ashevak is perhaps the most internationally recognized Canadian Inuit sculptor. Very few works prior to 1970 have been discovered, his main body of work was created during four short years before his untimely death in 1974. His work brought him great joy, Karoo’s sister, Eeteemunga remembered “seeing him working on huge pieces. He was always so full of joy as he worked away on a new piece. He was also so proud of himself. He would pause and study a piece that he was working on... thinking or meditating. Sometimes he would put it aside...and glance at it from a distance... When he finished he would be pouring with sweat and looking joyful and exuberant!”
Like many of Karoo’s works there is a not so hidden narrative behind his carving. This work shows two opposing faces, the first with a joyous expression and a prominent toothy grin, the second clearly expressing distress conveyed humorously as the top tooth is pulled out by a piece of thread (traditional sinew has been used here). Exhibiting many characteristics that indicate his most developed and mature artistic phase, this work is dated circa 1973/74.
Acquired directly from the artist by a gallery owner, Yellowknife,
By descent to present owner, British Columbia
Notes:
Karoo Ashevak is perhaps the most internationally recognized Canadian Inuit sculptor. Very few works prior to 1970 have been discovered, his main body of work was created during four short years before his untimely death in 1974. His work brought him great joy, Karoo’s sister, Eeteemunga remembered “seeing him working on huge pieces. He was always so full of joy as he worked away on a new piece. He was also so proud of himself. He would pause and study a piece that he was working on... thinking or meditating. Sometimes he would put it aside...and glance at it from a distance... When he finished he would be pouring with sweat and looking joyful and exuberant!”
Like many of Karoo’s works there is a not so hidden narrative behind his carving. This work shows two opposing faces, the first with a joyous expression and a prominent toothy grin, the second clearly expressing distress conveyed humorously as the top tooth is pulled out by a piece of thread (traditional sinew has been used here). Exhibiting many characteristics that indicate his most developed and mature artistic phase, this work is dated circa 1973/74.
Most realised prices include the Buyer's Premium of 18-25%, but not the HST/GST Tax.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Waddington's auction house for permission to use.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Waddington's auction house for permission to use.