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Native Art Gallery

Inukshuk

Inukshuk

Artist: Matt Kingwatsiak

Community: Cape Dorset

Medium: Soapstone

Dimensions (in): W7.0 x H 13.0 x D3.0

Reference: 108531

$965.00 CAD
$965.00 CAD
Sale Sold

Inukshuk is an Inuit word meaning "in the Image of Man".

Inukshuks are invaluable aids to the Inuit who live and travel in the far North.  Built by piling rocks in a way that resembles the human form, Inukshuks are used as guides, signposts and territorial markings, as well as hunting tools to herd caribou.

Anyone who has travelled the Arctic can appreciate how vast and lonely the far North can be.  One can travel for days, even weeks, without seeing another human being.  In this environment, the sighting of an Inukshuk brings a tremendous feeling of comfort and ease; a joy of knowing that one is travelling in the right direction, and a comfort that someone has passed before.

An Inukshuk symbolizes the North and tells whoever passes that man has been there before.  It is hard to resist building an Inukshuk, even if for no real reason, other than a passing thought of becoming part of history.

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Matt Kingwatsiak

Matt Kingwatsiak is an Inuit artist from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Nunavut, still early in his artistic career, focusing primarily on sculpting small-scale Inukshuks. However, he occasionally ventures into carving larger bears.

Known for his distinctive style, Kingwatsiak’s work features bold lines, unique poses, and remarkable skill. His bear sculptures captivate with their expressiveness and dynamism, reflecting both the strength and grace of these iconic Arctic animals.

While his current body of work centers on smaller pieces, Kingwatsiak shows promising potential to expand his artistic repertoire in the future. His work is already garnering attention for its originality and artistic quality, hinting at a flourishing career in the world of Inuit art.

Please contact the gallery for more information about the artist: info@nativeartgallery.ca