Lot 47
THOMAS SIVURAQ (b. 1941)
Additional Images
Note:
Still actively living off the land in the early 1960s, Thomas Sivuraq (Tommy Sevoga) has been clear in articulating the reasons for his carving in the early days of his output, saying in a 1998 interview with Henry Kudluk “...carving was a way for me to get bullets for my rifle and supplies to go hunting”. [1]
A talented and respected artist, Sivuraq was also an accomplished printer and was responsible for printing numerous important works of Qamani’tuaq (Baker Laker) graphics including works by Jessie Oonark and Luke Anguhadluq. [2]
Here in this charming figure, Bear Women, we see the artist approaching animal-human imagery so often investigated in his work.
An old inventory label is affixed to the underside reading "Tommy Sevoga [Thomas Sivuraq] / Baker Lake / #3781."
References:
1. Kudluk, Henry; Thomas Sivuraq, “Focus: Thomas Sivuraq” Inuit Art Quarterly, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1999. p. 27.
2. Barz, Sandra Buhai, Inuit Artists Print Workbook, New York: Arts and Culture of the North Publishers, 2003. Vol. III, Book 1.