Floyd Kuptana
BEAR IN UMIAK, 2011
Floyd Kuptana (1964-2021), Paulatuk
BEAR IN UMIAK, 2011
stone, antler, leather, inlay, metal
, signed and dated
19.5 x 10 x 14 in — 49.5 x 25.4 x 35.6 cm
Provenance:
Private Collection, British Columbia
Note:
Kuptana's sculptural works are deeply rooted in Inuit beliefs, culture and traumatic events that have shaped Inuit life. The comical, animated bear is a subject synonymous with Kuptana's work and it is through humour that Kuptana is able to bring light to important issues.
From an early age, he assisted his cousins, Francis and Abraham Anghik Ruben as well as Bill Nasogaluak with their sculptures. He apprenticed under David Ruben Piqtoukun.
This sculpture, as told by the artist to the current owner, is a story about climate change. Prophetically, Kuptana could see the effects climate change was having on the environment. This piece as described by Kuptana was a way of envisioning the survival of polar bears. The sculpture depicts a polar bear stealing - a concept in itself foreign to the Inuit - an umiak in order to get across to the rocky offshore islands where the walrus and seals conglomerated. Due to ice melt the polar bears' future was threatened as there would no longer be ice to connect the mainland to these islands.
Estimate: $2,000—4,000
BEAR IN UMIAK, 2011
stone, antler, leather, inlay, metal
, signed and dated
19.5 x 10 x 14 in — 49.5 x 25.4 x 35.6 cm
Provenance:
Private Collection, British Columbia
Note:
Kuptana's sculptural works are deeply rooted in Inuit beliefs, culture and traumatic events that have shaped Inuit life. The comical, animated bear is a subject synonymous with Kuptana's work and it is through humour that Kuptana is able to bring light to important issues.
From an early age, he assisted his cousins, Francis and Abraham Anghik Ruben as well as Bill Nasogaluak with their sculptures. He apprenticed under David Ruben Piqtoukun.
This sculpture, as told by the artist to the current owner, is a story about climate change. Prophetically, Kuptana could see the effects climate change was having on the environment. This piece as described by Kuptana was a way of envisioning the survival of polar bears. The sculpture depicts a polar bear stealing - a concept in itself foreign to the Inuit - an umiak in order to get across to the rocky offshore islands where the walrus and seals conglomerated. Due to ice melt the polar bears' future was threatened as there would no longer be ice to connect the mainland to these islands.
Estimate: $2,000—4,000
Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Lot # | Low Est | High Est | Sold Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-27 | Waddington's | 103 | 2,000 | 4,000 | 9,375.00 |
