9" "Covid Collection" Owl with Green eyes by Toonoo Sharky

Provenance - January 1st, 2021** Back in April, 2020, we launched a rare and exceptional collection of Toonoo Sharky pieces. These pieces were done during a time when Inuit artists were locked down inside their homes during the outbreak of Covid. In only certain and rare circumstances, were their a few pieces made by a select few artists during this time.

One of those artists was Master Carver - Toonoo Sharky

We called it "the Covid Collection" and had a special booklet made for these select few pieces that were obtained during this time.

In any event, the following Toonoo Sharky pieces we are adding today (January 1st, 2021) were from this very same collection (originally obtained by another gallery). The following Tooonoo Sharky pieces were made back in April, 2020 at the same time.

We were recently able to get the remaining pieces from this Covid Collection from another gallery that unfortunately had to close their doors recently.

So here is PART 2 of the "Covid Collection" from Master carver - Toonoo Sharky.

This carving from the Covid Collection will come with a Provenance in the form of a Booklet describing the unique circumstances surrounding these sculptures.

We recently welcomed "part 2" of our hit collection "the covid collection" which consists of a few charming sculptures, carved by international superstar Toonoo Sharkey.

Sharkey is a “Rockstar” sculptor. He is innovative and prolific. He is one of my favourite carvers.

I admire Sharkey’s work immensely because he has THE touch.

He has the rare ability to extract vision from a stone and then breathe life into its soul.

Toonoo’s sculptures have a life force that is often moody and slightly aloof. Sometimes they appear to be purposely posed as if they were the Inuit equivalents of portraiture art.

Sharkey uses an avant garde and futuristic style to carve his creatures. His style challenges our perception of Inuit art.

Toonoo wants us to look beyond the centuries long traditional “realistic” carving style.

As enthusiasts of Inuit art, we are being encouraged to look beyond what is “popular” and what sells.

I admire the selection of serpentine stone in combination with the large apple green inlaid eyes as the medium for these carvings.

The effect is always dramatic and emphasizes the angles and edges of the pieces.

These carvings will sell out quickly.

Because of their more diminutive sizes, the price point for this collection is appealing.

Toonoo Sharkey has signed all these stunning sculptures on the bottom.

Toonoo Sharky (1970 - )

"Toonoo's parents, Josephee Sharky and Ragee Killiktee, were both carvers, though he credits his grandfather, master carver Kuppapik Ragee and his uncle Shorty Killiktee as influences. Toonoo started carving at ten, began to get serious at thirteen and first exhibited when he was just 17. He is regarded as one of the most exciting young carvers to emerge in the Arctic. His themes include fanciful and quite dramatic treatment of wildlife, particularly birds, and transformational works that are both powerful and humorous. His work is widely shown, and he was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy in 2003." *

* from "Cape Dorset Sculpture", Douglas & McIntyre, 2005