Simon Uttaq (Taloyoak) Sedna on Base Inuit Sculptu

Updated September 18, 2026

This auction ended on October 4, 2026. See upcoming auctions from Oakwood Auctions.

Lot number	522
Estimate	175.00 - 225.00 USD
Auction	October Art & Collectibles- 2-DAY Auction
Date	October 4, 2026 at 11:00 PM EDT
Auction house	Oakwood Auctions
Location	Stouffville

An exceptional and fully authenticated Canadian Inuit sculpture by Simon Uttaq of Taloyoak, Nunavut, depicting Sedna - the supreme Sea Goddess of Inuit mythology and one of the most revered spiritual figures in Arctic Indigenous culture. Titled Sedna on Base and carved in 2001, this highly expressive stone sculpture is accompanied by its original Government of Canada Igloo Tag certification, confirming the artist, community, date, and title. Works depicting Sedna occupy a particularly important position within Inuit art history. As the powerful ruler of the sea and guardian of all marine life, Sedna stands among the most sought-after subjects in the Inuit sculpture market, appealing equally to serious collectors of Indigenous Canadian art, museum institutions, mythology-focused collections, and buyers seeking culturally significant masterworks from the Canadian Arctic. The enduring desirability of Sedna imagery stems from its profound spiritual symbolism, representing creation, transformation, survival, nature, and the interconnected relationship between Inuit peoples and the northern oceans. In this compelling interpretation, Uttaq presents Sedna emerging in a transformative hybrid form, balancing human and marine characteristics in a composition that captures the essence of Inuit storytelling traditions. The figure rises from a seal-like aquatic body, its powerful presence enhanced by a dramatically carved hooded head, deeply incised facial features, prominent mouth, drilled eyes, rounded arms, and a carefully detailed garment edge. The composition possesses remarkable movement despite its compact scale, creating a visual tension between earthly form and supernatural power. The sculpture demonstrates the qualities that collectors seek in authentic Nunavut carvings: strong sculptural massing, confident hand carving, expressive reduction of form, and an elegant balance between polished surfaces and incised detail. The dark stone exhibits attractive natural tonal variations ranging from charcoal black to soft grey and warm brown undertones, producing visual depth across every surface. From each viewing angle, the work reveals new relationships between the human and marine elements of the composition, rewarding close examination in a manner characteristic of the finest Inuit sculpture. Taloyoak has long been recognized as one of the Arctic's most respected carving communities, producing works celebrated for their powerful forms, spiritual subject matter, and close connection to traditional Inuit knowledge. Simon Uttaq's Sedna sculptures are especially desirable because they unite an iconic mythological subject with the authentic artistic traditions of the central Arctic, creating works that resonate with both seasoned Inuit art collectors and new buyers entering the field. The presence of the original Government of Canada certification significantly enhances collector confidence and market desirability. These tags

Simon Uttaq (Taloyoak) Sedna on Base Inuit Sculptu

More lots in this auction

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