Additional Images

Provenance:

Private Collection, Ontario

Note:

These dramatic maskettes, with their asymmetrical features, gaping mouths, and protruding inlay, are evocative of both traditional Yupik and Inupiat masks, as well contemporary pop culture sources that run throughout much of Kuptana’s work. Exposed to the artwork of his cousins Francis Ruben, and Abraham Anghik Ruben as well as mentors Bill Nasogaluak, and David Ruben Piqtoukun, Kuptana had extensive experience as an apprentice sculptor by the time he came to produce his own varied but distinctive work. [1]

It has been said of Kuptana’s oeuvre, that “quite simply, he made beautiful monsters”–these maskettes make that point emphatically. [2]


References:

1. Inuit Art Foundation, “Floyd Kuptana Profile”. IAQ, Accessed February 21, 2022. https://www.inuitartfoundation.org/profiles/artist/Floyd-Kuptana.

2. Grant-Moran, Robyn, “Remembering Inuvialuk artist Floyd Kuptana, whose dark vision brought important issues to light”, Toronto Star, June 27, 2021. Accessed February 21, 2022. https://www.thestar.com/life/together/remembrance/2021/06/27/remembering-inuvialuk-artist-floyd-kuptana-whose-dark-vision-brought-important-issues-to-light.html.


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