11" Basking Walrus and Two Bears by Lukie Airut

Inuit art: Basking Walrus & Two Bears
Inuit Artist: Lukie Airut 
Size: 11" long, 2" high, 1" wide. Weight: 1 lbs
Community: Igloolik, NU
Medium: whale bone, serpentine, caribou antler
id: cjj99187556

This piece tells a story of the cohabitation dependency the animals of the north have with one another. It is the cycle of life and a beautiful collage of the prominent species located in the far North. The masterful detail, the contrasting elements and the overall uniqueness of the piece will no doubt, make this carving a featured piece in any museum or auction magazine.

Lukie is a brilliant artist and one of the most famous Inuit artists in the world. 

Lukie Airut (1942 - )

Community: Igloolik (born in Alanarjuk Lake)
Speaks: Inuktitut

Lukie AirutLukie (Luke) is a second generation master Inuit artist, he learned to carve from his father George Kappianaq. Lukie's younger brother, Bart Hanna, is also a well-known Inuit artist. Lukie originally started making sculptures to support his family as there were not many other employment opportunities in the community. Now he is a well established and internationally respected Inuit artist. He works with stone and whale bone. Lukie carves every day except when he he goes hunting and fishing to provide food for the family and community. Often he brings back stone and bone from these hunting trips. Lkie Airut Swimming Bear

Lukie attended Nunavut Arctic College, where he specialized in the fine art of jewellery making. Lukie's sculptures are very detailed and sophisticated, often multidimensional.

Collections:

The Museum of Inuit Art, Mississauga, ON, Canada
The Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
The Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON
The University of Alberta,  Edmonton, AB, ON