Three Notable Collections from Our Fall Inuit Art Auction

Our major Fall 2025 auction of Inuit Art presents a carefully curated selection of significant artworks which span early to contemporary periods of sculpture and graphics. The works included exemplify the energy and sophistication of artists’ engagement with their respective genres.

One of the great themes of this season is the power of collectors, whose singular visions are a joy to behold when viewed as a whole. It is they who serve as the custodians to great masterworks across decades, ensuring that future generations will enjoy these artworks as much now as when they were first acquired.

We would like to spotlight three such collections in this auction. First, the S. Family Collection, which was built over nearly seven decades by a husband and wife. A pioneering and important collection, it is distinguished by its remarkable diversity and uniformly high quality. The couple took great pleasure in watching the artists and their output evolve over the course of their collecting journey. Some works were bought directly from artists, others from important dealers.

Through their immersion in the Inuit art community, the couple built relationships with — and collected important works by — many of the most significant Inuit artists including Davie Atchealak, Judas Ullulaq, Ooviloo Tunillie, Parr, John Tiktak, Joe Talirunili, Kiugak Ashoona, Charlie Ugyuk, Nuna Parr, Aqjangajuk Shaa, and Mathew Aqigaaq.

The second notable collection comes from Ken Mantel. The London-born Mantel started his career as a petroleum geologist in 1975. His work took him to Arctic Canada in the 1970s where he became fascinated by Inuit Art, and began to collect seriously. On returning to Britain in 1981, Mantel opened the Narwhal Inuit Art Gallery, alongside his wife, Tija. Mantel was regarded as the British authority on the subject of Inuit art and the gallery was the only one of its kind in the country. Mantel’s knowledge and passion culminated in ‘Tuvaq’, the first British-led book on the subject. After his death in 2024, Tija and her children are repatriating this collection to continue Mantel’s legacy.

The third collection belongs to David Sutherland. A former Northwest Territories Arts and Crafts Development Officer and an artist in his own right, Sutherland developed a lifelong passion for Inuit Art, and was an outspoken advocate and author on all matters Inuit. Sutherland and his wife Aiko were popular residents in the various locations in which they were posted, including Inuvik, Churchill, and Yellowknife.

Sutherland declined promotions to stay in the Arctic, where he continued to develop artists’ facilities into environments of creativity and self-discipline. His work brought him into intimate contact with important artists who he continued to champion after his retirement, including Marion Tuu’luq, Janet Kigusiuq, John Pangnark, Lucy Tasseor Tutsweetok, John Kavik, Andy Miki, Luke Iksiktaaryuk, Mathew Aqigaaq and countless others. An avid collector, Sutherland also purchased works, primarily from the Miqsuvik Sewing Shop, and other craft stores in the communities in which he served.

About the auction

The auction features artworks from an important pioneering Toronto collection, in addition to selections from the private collections of Narwhal Gallery (London, England) founder and author Ken Mantel, and former Northwest Territories Arts and Crafts Development Officer David Sutherland. Highlights include significant works by Judas Ullulaq, Parr, Akeeaktashuk, Niviaxie, Oviloo Tunnillie, Joe Talirunili, John Tiktak, Kenojuak Ashevak, Pauta Saila, Davie Atchealak, Nuna Parr, Manasie Akpaliapik, Tudlik, Floyd Kuptana, John Hoover, Luke Anguhadluq, and other noted artists.

On view at our Toronto location:

Thursday, November 13 from 10 am to 5 pm
Friday, November 14 from 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday, November 15 from 12 pm to 4 pm
Sunday, November 16 from 12 pm to 4 pm
Monday, November 17 from 10 am to 7 pm
Tuesday, November 18 from 10 am to 5 pm
Wednesday, November 19 from 9 am to 12 pm

Or by appointment.

Please contact us for more information.