Amayuqyuq Abducting A Child
58.4 cms x 38.1 cms x 25.4 cms (22.99 ins x 15 ins x 22.99 ins)
Signed In Syllabics
Lot offered for sale by Waddington's, Toronto at the auction event "Inuit Art Auction" held on Mon, Jun 1, 2015.
Lot 147
Lot 147
Estimate: CAD $7,000 - $10,000
Sale price withheld by the Auction house
Sale price withheld by the Auction house
Lot description - from the online catalogue*
The stylistic similarities between brothers Judas Ullulaq and Nelson Takkiruq is especially apparent in this work. The approach to carving is less concerned with representation and more focused on animation and expression.
The believed subject matter for the work is the Netsilik story of Amayuqyuq, a mythical creature whose story is told as a precautionary tale for children.
In conversation with Joseph Shuqslak, Judas Ullulaq provides an account of the creature as follows, “‘Amayuqyuq’ means ‘kidnapper of little children.’ This story about a fearsome female abductor was told to children to keep them from wandering too far from the camp, and getting into danger with wild animals, such as polar bears or wolves, or from getting lost on the tundra.”
Darlene Coward Wight, Art & Expression of the Netsilik, Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2000, pg. 169
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.