Karoo Ashevak, ᑲᕈ ᐊᓴᕙ
SHAMAN WITH MITTENS
KAROO ASHEVAK (1940-1974), ᑲᕈ ᐊᓴᕙ, SPENCE BAY / TALOYOAK
SHAMAN WITH MITTENS
whalebone, Good condition, no visible issues to report.
6.25 x 12 x 7 in — 15.9 x 30.5 x 17.8 cm
Provenance:
Purchased in Spence Bay in 1970
The Estate of M.A Mahtab Phd, NS
Note:
AGO curator Wanda Nanibush explains that Karoo Ashevak’s art was shaped by scary stories of otherworldly monsters told to him at bedtime: “and then as he got older and he started carving, it's like these stories kind of shifted in his mind and they became much more loving and funny to him."
Noted both for his humour as much as for the originality and skill of his art, “Spirit” is highly emblematic of Ashevak’s work. The subject’s face appears animated—either in surprise, fear or wonder—yet this spectre from another world is wearing mittens. The figure before us is thus rendered human and of this earth, almost charming, in need of protecting from the cold.
Ashevak’s career was cut short by his death in 1974, one year after a solo show in New York City earned him major recognition in the United States and Canada. He had been sculpting for only four years, making this work a special find for collectors.
Estimate: $10,000—15,000
SHAMAN WITH MITTENS
whalebone, Good condition, no visible issues to report.
6.25 x 12 x 7 in — 15.9 x 30.5 x 17.8 cm
Provenance:
Purchased in Spence Bay in 1970
The Estate of M.A Mahtab Phd, NS
Note:
AGO curator Wanda Nanibush explains that Karoo Ashevak’s art was shaped by scary stories of otherworldly monsters told to him at bedtime: “and then as he got older and he started carving, it's like these stories kind of shifted in his mind and they became much more loving and funny to him."
Noted both for his humour as much as for the originality and skill of his art, “Spirit” is highly emblematic of Ashevak’s work. The subject’s face appears animated—either in surprise, fear or wonder—yet this spectre from another world is wearing mittens. The figure before us is thus rendered human and of this earth, almost charming, in need of protecting from the cold.
Ashevak’s career was cut short by his death in 1974, one year after a solo show in New York City earned him major recognition in the United States and Canada. He had been sculpting for only four years, making this work a special find for collectors.
Estimate: $10,000—15,000
Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Lot # | Low Est | High Est | Sold Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-05-13 | Waddington's | 59 | 10,000 | 15,000 | 31,200.00 |
