First Arts: Inuit & First Nations Art

May 28, 2019

LOT 49

Lot 49

MIRIAM NANURLUQ QIYUK (1933-)

MIRIAM NANURLUQ QIYUK (1933-)
Lot 49 Details
MIRIAM NANURLUQ QIYUK (1933-), E2-387, Baker Lake / Qamani’tuaq

MIGRATION BOAT

stone
signed "MIRIAM QIYUK", mid-late 1990s
7.5 x 12 x 3.75 in — 19.1 x 30.5 x 10.2 cm

Estimate $9,000-$12,000

Realised: $9,000
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
MIRIAM NANURLUQ QIYUK (1933-)
  • MIRIAM NANURLUQ QIYUK (1933-)
  • MIRIAM NANURLUQ QIYUK (1933-)
  • MIRIAM NANURLUQ QIYUK (1933-)
Provenance:

a Toronto collection

Note:

One of the great Jessie Oonark’s many talented children, Miriam Qiyuk (Nanurluq) is best known as a sculptor but has created many wonderful textile hangings as well. An active and acclaimed carver in the 1970s, Nanurluq took it up again seriously in the early 1990s. During that decade she produced a number of sculptures that depict large groups of people, sometimes placed in boats. Unlike the famous depictions of umiaq journeys carved by the Puvirnituq artist Joe Talirunili however, Nanurluq’s sculptures look more like family gatherings or reunions. In this fine example the boat shape seems to be used more as a visual metaphor rather than representing an actual watercraft; it gathers and holds people together rather than transporting them. As with other versions of this theme by Miriam Qiyuk, the work likely portrays herself and assorted children and grandchildren. Carved from a very hard stone, it is a rough-hewn yet remarkably sensitive composition.

References: for important contemporaneous works by Miriam Qiyuk see Walker’s Nov. 2012, Lot 38; May 2014, Lot 44; Nov. 2014, Lot 58; and Nov. 2016, Lot 76. For older examples by this artist see Walker’s Nov. 2015, Lot 54; and May 2017, Lot 33.

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 49
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.