Lot 120
JOE KILOONIK (1938-2011) TALOYOAK (SPENCE BAY)
Seated Drummer, 1996-97
stone and antler, 19.5 x 13 x 16.25 in (49.5 x 33 x 41.3 cm)
signed, "á‘­á“—á“‚".

Provenance
Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver;
Acquired from the above by the present Private Collection, California.

Published
Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Joe Kiloonik: Sculpture, (Vancouver: Spirit Wrestler Gallery, 1998), cat. 13.

Kiloonik, who was born in Gjoa Haven and later moved to Taloyoak with his family in the mid 1960s, only began carving in earnest during the early 1970s, after losing a foot and struggling to find regular employment. Fortunately, the Spence Bay carving industry was thriving at that time. Although many sculptors in Taloyoak at that time were influenced by Karoo's style, it was Kiloonik's bone sculptures that most closely followed Karoo's distinctive aesthetic. However, Kiloonik did not enjoy carving bone and switched to stone. In doing so he discovered his own distinctive style which featured lovely, smooth surfaces and rounded forms. Although not a prolific artist, Kiloonik had a solo exhibition in 1998 at the Spirit Wrestler Gallery in Vancouver, which showcased several exceptional compositions including this sculpture and the stunning Shamans Calling the Animals (see First Arts, 14 June 2022, Lot 101).

Not a prolific artist, Kiloonik never attained the notoriety of his contemporaries Judas Ullulaq and Charlie Ugyuk. One could easily argue that in terms of quality, Kiloonik’s work was more consistent than many of his competitors, who often opted for quantity over workmanship (perhaps due to greater demand). Kiloonik always seemed happy to create at his own pace, taking his time with each sculpture until he was satisfied and ready to release it for sale. His attention to detail and his pride of workmanship is certainly obvious in this wonderful Seated Drummer.

References: For a similarly styled Drummer by Kiloonik see Susan Gustavison, Northern Rock: Contemporary Inuit Stone Sculpture, (Kleinburg: McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1999), cat. 54, p. 159. For a brief discussion of the artist and two examples of his work see Darlene Coward Wight, Art & Expression of the Netsilik, (Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2000), pp. 78-79. See also other drummers by the artist in the solo exhibition catalogue Joe Kiloonik: Sculpture, (Vancouver: Spirit Wrestler Gallery, 1998), cats. 7, 8, 14. For a later and somewhat smaller but similar subject by the artist see Walker’s Auctions, Ottawa, Nov. 2015, Lot 63. For a superb Shamans Calling the Animals by the artist, also dated 1996 and purchased at the same exhibition in Vancouver, see First Arts, June 14, 2022, Lot 101.