Johnny Inukpuk
Johnny Inukpuk
1911 - 2007
Johnny Inukpuk was born in 1911 in Kujjuarapik, Nunavik, and began carving while living out on the land. In the 1950s he moved to Inukjuak, where James Houston, an artist, author and filmmaker who played an important role in promoting the recognition of Inuit artists, encouraged him to continue carving. Inukpuk rapidly became a well-known artist, and the TD Bank Financial Group acquired his work for their collection of Inuit art in 1951. His work also received recognition when placed in an international exhibition of Inuit art in 1953, titled The Coronation Exhibition, held at Gimpel Fils gallery in London, England.
Inukpuk’s sculptures all represent Inuit life. In 1953 he began using a distinctive green stone that was translucent and glowed in the light. Although primarily known as a sculptor, Inukpuk also made prints, and produced a notable stonecut print entitled A True Story of Johnny Being Attacked by Three Polar Bears While in His Igloo (1974). As the title indicates, this print documents the artist’s encounter with three polar bears who attacked him in his igloo while on an overnight hunting trip. He survived by managing to fend off the bears with only a stick, as he could not reach his rifle.
In 1978, Inukpuk was made a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.
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Bear Attack by Johnny Inukpuk sold for $31,250
Johnny Inukpuk
Bear Attack
18 x 22 x 31 in, 45.7 x 55.9 x 78.7 cm
circa 1970
stone carving
Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000 CDN
Sold for: $31,250 CDN (premium included)
Post-War & Contemporary Art on Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Woman Working Leather by Johnny Inukpuk sold for $23,000
Johnny Inukpuk
Woman Working Leather
13 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 4 in, 34.9 x 21.6 x 10.2 cm
circa 1970
soapstone sculpture
Estimate: $10,000 - $12,000 CDN
Sold for: $23,000 CDN (premium included)
Fine Canadian Art Spring 2005 on Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Ice Fishing by Johnny Inukpuk sold for $16,100
Johnny Inukpuk
Ice Fishing
11 x 8 x 10 in, 27.9 x 20.3 x 25.4 cm
soapstone sculpture
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000 CDN
Sold for: $16,100 CDN (premium included)
Fine Canadian Art Fall 2005 on Thursday, November 24, 2005
After the Hunt by Johnny Inukpuk sold for $12,870
Johnny Inukpuk
After the Hunt
19 1/4 x 10 1/2 x 7 in, 48.9 x 26.7 x 17.8 cm
soapstone sculpture
Estimate: $12,000 - $16,000 CDN
Sold for: $12,870 CDN (premium included)
Fall 2010 - 1st Session on Thursday, November 25, 2010
Mother and Child and Baby by Johnny Inukpuk sold for $4,375
Johnny Inukpuk
Mother and Child and Baby
16 1/2 x 8 x 13 in, 41.9 x 20.3 x 33 cm
soapstone sculpture
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000 CDN
Sold for: $4,375 CDN (premium included)
Canadian Art on Thursday, February 22, 2018
Man Pulling Seal by Johnny Inukpuk sold for $4,063
Johnny Inukpuk
Man Pulling Seal
17 x 11 x 9 1/2 in, 43.2 x 27.9 x 24.1 cm
soapstone sculpture
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CDN
Sold for: $4,063 CDN (premium included)
Canadian Art on Thursday, January 25, 2018
Mother and Child by Johnny Inukpuk sold for $3,450
Johnny Inukpuk
Mother and Child
11 x 9 x 6 1/4 in, 27.9 x 22.9 x 15.9 cm
green soapstone sculpture
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CDN
Sold for: $3,450 CDN (premium included)
Fine Canadian Art Fall 2007 on Friday, November 23, 2007
Mother and Baby by Johnny Inukpuk sold for $2,500
Johnny Inukpuk
Mother and Baby
11 1/2 x 8 x 8 in, 29.2 x 20.3 x 20.3 cm
soapstone sculpture
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000 CDN
Sold for: $2,500 CDN (premium included)
Canadian Art on Thursday, February 22, 2018
Mother and Child by Johnny Inukpuk sold for $750
Johnny Inukpuk
Mother and Child
13 x 7 1/2 x 6 in, 33 x 19.1 x 15.2 cm
stone carving
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500 CDN
Sold for: $750 CDN (premium included)
Inuit Sculptures on Thursday, February 23, 2023