Alex Alikashuak (Whale Cove) Monumental "Mother an

Updated September 18, 2026

Alex Alikashuak (Inuit, Whale Cove, Nunavut), "Mother and Child," 1998. An exceptional, large-scale museum-quality Inuit stone sculpture that stands among the most compelling expressions of maternal love, protection, and family ever realized by the acclaimed Whale Cove sculptor. Beautifully conceived as a continuous flowing composition, the work seamlessly unites mother and child within a single monumental form, creating a timeless meditation on kinship, endurance, and the unbreakable bond between generations. Executed in richly variegated Arctic stone displaying striking natural tones of charcoal, olive, warm brown, ochre, and subtle rose, the sculpture possesses extraordinary visual depth and presence from every angle, while its elegant pierced design introduces light, movement, and remarkable sculptural sophistication.<br><br>The elongated maternal figure rises with quiet dignity, her serene face masterfully reduced to refined Inuit modernist essentials through delicately incised eyes, an elongated nose, and restrained mouth. Beneath her protective posture, the child emerges naturally from the same uninterrupted mass of stone, symbolizing unity rather than separation. The dramatic negative space between the figures serves as both an architectural and emotional focal point, creating a composition that continuously transforms as the sculpture is viewed in the round. The result is a work of exceptional balance, rhythm, and sculptural intelligence that rewards prolonged examination and distinguishes itself as a highly sophisticated example of late twentieth-century Canadian Inuit sculpture.<br><br>Alex Alikashuak's sculptures have become increasingly sought after by collectors for their powerful fusion of traditional Inuit subject matter with clean modernist abstraction. Family themes remain among the most universally admired and enduring subjects within Inuit art, appealing equally to established collectors, museum institutions, and those assembling significant collections of Indigenous Canadian sculpture. Monumental examples with strong documentation, elegant pierced compositions, and this level of artistic refinement are encountered far less frequently than the artist's smaller carvings, making this an especially desirable acquisition for collectors seeking an important representative work.<br><br>Measuring an impressive 10 x 2 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches, the sculpture commands immediate attention while maintaining remarkable elegance through its elongated proportions and beautifully balanced silhouette. The naturally polished stone exhibits exceptional color variation and surface character, enhancing every sculptural contour while emphasizing the remarkable quality of the material selected by the artist. Whether viewed as an outstanding example of Canadian Inuit art, Indigenous sculpture, Arctic modernism, or twentieth-century stone carving, the work possesses the scale, artistic maturity, and emotional resonance expected of museum-caliber examples.<

More lots in this auction

• Alex Alikashuak (Whale Cove, Nunavut) 1999 Father
• Lucy Tasseor Tutsweetok (1934-2012) - Monumental "
• Allan Namonai (Dorset/Kinngait, Nunavut) 2025 Sign
• Alex Alikashuak (Whale Cove) Monumental 1997 Inuit
• Johnny Kataluk (Inuk, Coral Harbour) 2003 Woman Pr
• Marc Barrie "High Country (Bobcat)," 1984 - Origin
• Toronto Maple Leafs Signed Photos- Wendel Clark, R
• Johnny Kataluk - Walrus Spirit - Monumental Inuit

See all lots in October Art & Collectibles- 2-DAY Auction →