Peter Boy Itukalla Inuit Soapstone Carving

Updated August 8, 2026

Hand-Carved Stone Sculpture Artist: Peter Boy Itukalla (Peter Qumaluk Itukalla) Title: Polar Bear and Cub Medium: Hand-carved black serpentine (soapstone) Date: Circa 1980s–1990s Dimensions: Approximately 8"H × 10.5"W × 5"D An expressive and masterfully carved Inuit sculpture depicting a standing polar bear with raised forepaws while a cub climbs affectionately onto its back. Executed in finely polished black serpentine, the composition conveys both strength and tenderness, capturing the close bond between mother and cub through dynamic movement and carefully balanced forms. The contrasting matte-cut base evokes an Arctic ice floe and enhances the dramatic vertical composition. The sculpture demonstrates Peter Boy Itukalla's characteristic style, combining fluid, rounded forms with lively, animated poses. Family groups and wildlife subjects are among the artist's most sought-after works and exemplify the vitality that has made his carvings highly regarded by collectors of contemporary Inuit art. Artist Biography Peter Boy Itukalla (Peter Qumaluk Itukalla, b. 1954) was born near Puvirnituq, Nunavik (Northern Quebec) and began carving as a young child under the guidance of his grandfather. Raised in one of the Arctic's foremost artistic families, he is related to renowned Inuit sculptors Levi Qumaluk, Inukpuk Qumaluk, Joe Talirunili, and Davidialuk Alasua Amittu. His energetic carvings of Arctic wildlife and Inuit life are recognized for their dramatic movement, expressive realism, and technical excellence. Since becoming a professional sculptor in the 1970s, Peter Boy has exhibited extensively throughout Canada and internationally. His work is represented in major public collections including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Canadian Museum of History, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, and numerous private collections. His sculptures remain among the most desirable examples of contemporary Nunavik Inuit art.

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