Simon Uttaq, Taloyoak - Shaman on Base, 1996 - Inu

Updated September 18, 2026

Lot number	107
Estimate	250.00 - 300.00 USD
Auction	October Art & Collectibles- 2-DAY Auction
Date	October 4, 2026 at 11:00 PM EDT
Auction house	Oakwood Auctions
Location	Stouffville

A powerful 1996 Inuit carving by Simon Uttaq of Taloyoak titled Shaman on Base - a commanding profile bust rendered in dark, fine-grained soapstone with dramatic, tiered coiffure and beard. Uttaq’s carving exploits the stone’s natural grey-black body and lighter inclusions to articulate movement and spiritual presence, the hair cut into deep rhythmic channels that catch the light while the facial planes are softly polished to a satin glow. The shaman’s visage is resolved with a proud, projecting nose, closed eyes, and layered lips, conveying meditative introspection and ancestral strength. The sculpture is presentation-mounted on a complementary grey stone base via a discreet cylindrical riser, lifting the head into space and creating a dynamic, almost wind-swept silhouette. The work is accompanied by its original Government of Canada Inuit art certification tag completed for the artist and community with title and 1996 date, an important assurance of authenticity for serious collectors. Dimensions 6 inches long x 4 inches wide x 8 3/4 inches high. Condition appears excellent with minor handling and natural mineral inclusions inherent to the stone and the artist’s hand-finished surface. This is a striking, display-ready example of late 20th-century Taloyoak sculpture - visually impactful from every angle, rich in shamanic iconography, and ideal for a high-end collection focused on Canadian Inuit art, soapstone carvings, and sculptural modernism. 90036

Simon Uttaq, Taloyoak - Shaman on Base, 1996 - Inu

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