Lot 137: LEVI QUMALUK (1919-1997), E9-843, Povungnituk A

LEVI QUMALUK (1919-1997), E9-843, Povungnituk A MOTHER PULLING CHILD FROM HER AMAUT, stone, signed in syllabics, dated 1955, 9" x 7" x 9" - 22.9 x 17.8 x 22.9 cm.

Note: Excerpt from Early Masters, Inuit Sculpture 1949-1955 Darlene Coward Wight: Levi had one of the longest carving and print-making careers of the many artists from Puvirnituq. He was active up until his death in 1997... "I started carving... around 1952 or '53 when Kadluna (non -Inuit) came to Inoucdjouac and told us that if we could carve that we would be able to make a living from them... I remember the first tools that I had were: one file, one pocket knife, and an improvised tool that I made by myself." Qumaaluk went on to explain that they didn't get proper tools until Peter Murdoch arrived to become manager of the Hudsons' Bay Company in 1955. See pages 113, 114 for further details.