J. Manning (Iqaluit, Nunavut) 2024 Certified Inuit
Updated September 18, 2026
| Lot number | 550 |
| Estimate | 150.00 - 175.00 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 highly collectible contemporary Inuit stone sculpture titled Inukshuk, masterfully hand carved in 2024 by J. Manning of Iqaluit, Nunavut, and accompanied by its original Government of Canada certified authenticity card identifying the artist, community, title, and date of creation. Executed in luminous pale Arctic stone and measuring approximately 4 1/2 inches wide x 4 1/2 inches deep x 7 1/2 inches high, this striking work embodies one of the most enduring and internationally recognized symbols of Inuit culture and the Canadian North.<br><br>Powerful in its simplicity yet remarkably sophisticated in its sculptural presence, the composition is constructed from carefully selected and expertly balanced stone elements that evoke the ancient inuksuit that have guided travelers across the Arctic landscape for centuries. The artist has transformed the traditional form into a compelling contemporary sculpture, creating a monument-like presence that feels both timeless and deeply connected to Inuit heritage. Broad horizontal stones form commanding shoulders and arms, while upright supports and layered base elements create an architectural silhouette instantly recognizable to collectors of important Canadian Indigenous art.<br><br>Viewed from every angle, the sculpture reveals a constantly changing interplay of line, mass, balance, shadow, and negative space. The pale stone exhibits beautiful natural variation throughout, including subtle grey tonality, soft beige undertones, mineral inclusions, crystalline highlights, and organic surface textures that enhance the visual depth of the carving. The result is a work possessing both the quiet strength of traditional Arctic stone sculpture and the refined aesthetic sensibilities sought by today's serious collectors.<br><br>The inukshuk remains among the most iconic and culturally significant subjects within Inuit art. Representing guidance, endurance, community, survival, and human presence upon the northern landscape, the form has become a universally recognized symbol of the Canadian Arctic. Authentic examples carved by Inuit artists from Nunavut continue to enjoy strong international collector demand due to their cultural significance, display appeal, and enduring relevance within the history of Indigenous Canadian art.<br><br>Particularly desirable is the documented attribution to an identified Inuit artist from Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut and one of the most important centers of contemporary Inuit artistic production. Works carrying certified authenticity from recognized Inuit communities provide collectors with confidence regarding origin, cultural authenticity, and artistic provenance. The inclusion of the original certification card significantly enhances both collectability and market desirability.<br><br>This sculpture displays exceptionally well in a fine art collection, corporate collection, museum-quality decorative setting, or specialized collection of Inuit, First Nations,
More lots in this auction
- Albert Qayutinnuaq (Taloyoak) "Norwhale Spirit" 20
- Thomassie Kattuk (Sanikiluaq, Nunavut) Certified I
- Alex Alikashuak (b. 1952) Hunter Man, Whale Cove N
- Juan Gallegos, Untitled, Original on Canvas
- Leo Uttaq (Taloyoak, Nunavut, 1996) - “Shaman” - I
- Juan Gallegos, Untitled, Original on Canvas
- Albert Qayutinnuaq Spirit Faces - 1994 Taloyoak In
- Juan Gallegos, Untitled, Original on Canvas