A finely conceived and powerfully modeled Inuit stone sculpture by Leo Uttaq of Taloyoak, titled Face and carved in 1992, executed in dark green-black serpentine with a high hand-rubbed sheen to the carved surfaces and a deliberately left natural quarry face to the reverse that accentuates the raw geology of the stone. Uttaq condenses the human visage into a striking mask-like fragment, the planes of the nose and mouth thrusting forward while radiating incisions articulate the eye and brow to create a hypnotic play of shadow and light. The artist’s confident toolwork is evident in the rhythmic fluting along the cheeks and chin, the crisp beveled edges, and the subtle polish that reveals serpentine’s mineral veining.
Measuring 5 x 2 x 5 3/4 inches tall (12.7 x 5.1 x 14.6 cm), the work reads as both portrait and totem, a compact masterwork whose vertical orientation makes an impressive presence in hand and on pedestal.
Included is the original Government of Canada authenticity certification card confirming: Artist Leo Uttaq, Community Taloyoak, Title Face, Date 1992, with control number 66468.
Condition is excellent for age, with minor rubs and faint handling marks visible under raking light and an intentionally rough-hewn reverse as part of the artist’s design.
This is a museum-quality example of Taloyoak carving in serpentine stone, ideal for collectors seeking a distinctive 1990s Nunavut work with documented provenance and strong sculptural impact.
66468