Samuel Ullulaq (1946-1999), Monumental “Muskox,” G

Updated September 18, 2026

Samuel Ullulaq’s imposing 1996 “Muskox” is a powerful and highly distinctive example of late twentieth-century Canadian Inuit sculpture from Gjoa Haven, one of the Arctic’s most celebrated centres of expressive stone carving. Measuring a substantial 11" x 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" tall, this commanding work transforms the enduring strength and elemental presence of the muskox into a monumental sculptural form of exceptional visual authority.<br><br>Carved from richly variegated dark stone, the sculpture is animated throughout by striking pale grey and silvery mineral inclusions that sweep across the body like frost, windblown snow and shifting Arctic light. Ullulaq has intensified this natural surface through extensive hand-incised texturing, covering the head, shoulders, flanks and hindquarters with thousands of individually cut strokes that convincingly evoke the muskox’s dense, layered coat. The interplay between polished stone, deeply engraved fur and naturally occurring mineral patterning gives the work extraordinary depth and ensures that every viewing angle reveals a different rhythm of light, texture and movement.<br><br>The sculpture’s massive head, broad muzzle, sweeping brow and compact legs are deliberately exaggerated to convey the animal’s immense physical strength and resilience. Pale inset eyes create a dramatic focal point against the near-black stone, while the drilled nostrils, deeply modelled facial planes and undercut jaw give the muskox an alert, almost totemic presence. The expression is at once stoic, watchful and dignified, capturing the quiet authority that distinguishes the finest Inuit animal sculpture.<br><br>Ullulaq’s treatment of the body is equally compelling. The high shoulder mass, rolling back and rounded hindquarters form a powerful continuous silhouette, while the short, sturdy legs anchor the composition with a convincing sense of weight and permanence. The work is fully resolved in the round, with carefully continued fur engraving across the reverse and sides, making it equally effective from every viewing position. Its unusually tall and substantial proportions give it the visual impact of a centrepiece sculpture rather than a small cabinet carving.<br><br>The muskox is among the most iconic animals of the Canadian Arctic, long associated with survival, endurance and protection in one of the world’s most demanding environments. Ullulaq’s interpretation captures these qualities with remarkable economy and force, balancing stylized abstraction with immediately recognizable animal form. The result is a sculpture that is both deeply rooted in Inuit artistic tradition and strikingly modern in its sculptural reduction.<br><br>The underside retains hand-incised identifying marks and an older inventory label. Accompanied by its original bilingual Canadian Inuit Art Certificate of Authenticity identifying Samuel Ullulaq, Gjoa Haven, the title “Muskox” and the date 1996. The survival of this documentation materially enhances t

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