17.1 x 11.4 x 5.7 cm
Carved from the Land
Across the Canadian Arctic, caribou antler has long been valued for its strength, resilience, and beauty. Each year, as caribou naturally shed their antlers across the tundra, Inuit harvest these gifts from the land, transforming a material shaped by the rhythms of nature into works of remarkable artistry. The sculptures in Carved from the Land celebrate this enduring relationship between artist, animal, and place.
Unlike stone, antler invites artists to respond to its natural curves, branching forms, and organic textures. Rather than imposing a design upon the material, Inuit sculptors often work with its inherent shape, allowing the antler to guide the composition. The result is a dynamic body of work in which the qualities of the material become an essential part of the sculpture itself.
While this exhibition brings together works from communities across the Canadian Arctic, it places particular emphasis on artists from Arviat and Qamani'tuaq (Baker Lake), where carving in caribou antler has flourished. Sculptures by Romeo Eekerkik and Jacob Irkok of Arviat, alongside works by Luke Iksiktaaryuk and Thomas Suvaaraq of Qamani'tuaq, demonstrate the diversity of approaches to this distinctive medium. Whether depicting figures from daily life, wildlife, or scenes inspired by Inuit knowledge and experience, each artist reveals a unique dialogue with the material.
A highlight of the exhibition is an exceptional antler composition by Judas Ullulaq, whose imaginative approach exemplifies the expressive possibilities of antler sculpture.
Together, these works remind us that every shed antler carries the story of the land from which it came. In the hands of Inuit artists, it becomes something new-a sculpture that honours both the enduring presence of the caribou and the creativity of the people who continue to shape the materials the Arctic provides.
