Charlie Okpik (Inuit, Gjoa Haven) Monumental Shama

Updated September 18, 2026

A deeply spiritual and visually commanding work of Canadian Inuit art, this exceptional 1990 sculpture by Charlie Okpik of Gjoa Haven captures one of the most revered and culturally significant subjects in Inuit carving - the transformative power of the shaman. Titled Shaman Transforming to Seal and accompanied by its original Government of Canada certification, the sculpture stands as an important example of late 20th century Inuit sculpture, uniting ancestral belief, masterful stone carving, and powerful visual storytelling in a single work.<br><br>Carved from richly toned dark serpentine stone with striking natural mineral inclusions, the composition depicts the mystical moment of metamorphosis between human and animal realms. The shaman's spirit appears suspended in transition, merging into the form of a seal - one of the most essential and symbolically powerful animals within Arctic life and Inuit cosmology. The result is a sculpture of extraordinary presence, evoking themes of transformation, survival, spirituality, and the intimate relationship between humans and the natural world.<br><br>Viewed from the front, the sculpture presents a dramatic upward thrust as the emerging seal head rises skyward in a gesture suggestive of transcendence and spiritual ascent. As the work is turned, new forms continuously reveal themselves. Abstracted flippers, anthropomorphic contours, and fluid organic volumes create a dynamic three-dimensional experience that rewards examination from every angle. This sophisticated interplay between abstraction and representation is a hallmark of the finest Inuit sculpture and demonstrates Okpik's accomplished understanding of form, movement, and symbolic narrative.<br><br>The stone itself contributes significantly to the work's visual appeal. The deep black surface is enlivened by naturally occurring pale inclusions and mottling, creating an effect reminiscent of Arctic ice and stone formations. These natural characteristics enhance the sculpture's individuality, ensuring that no other example is precisely the same. The highly polished surfaces interact beautifully with light, accentuating the sculpture's sweeping contours and lending an almost living quality to the transformation scene.<br><br>Shamanic transformation subjects occupy a particularly important place within Inuit art history and remain among the most sought-after themes by serious collectors. Works depicting the ability of shamans to assume animal form are directly connected to traditional Inuit belief systems and represent some of the most culturally resonant imagery produced by Arctic artists. Examples combining a documented title, Government of Canada certification, identified artist, dated production year, and an explicitly shamanic transformation subject are increasingly difficult to acquire, particularly from established communities such as Gjoa Haven.<br><br>Charlie Okpik's carvings are admired for their expressive forms and strong sculptural presen

More lots in this auction

• V. Bird "Eagle" - Monumental Signed Northwest Coas
• Trisha Romance "September Rose" Signed & Numbered
• Abe Shaa Dorset Inuit Stone Bear Sculpture, 2026,
• "Veterinarian" by Charles Bragg – Signed Limited E
• Pauloosie Padluq (Dorset) Certified Inuit Arctic B
• Tom Guo Original 1995 Oil Painting “Unfinished Woo
• Neil Baker "Bald Eagle" Monumental Signed Hand-Car
• James Coleman "Red Door Reflections" 2019 Signed H

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