Last Piece from the “Covid Colection” - 14" Electric Green Bird Spirit by Toonoo Sharky

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Toonoo Sharky



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Inuit art: Bird Spirit
Inuit Artist: Toonoo Sharky
Size: 14" wide, 10" tall, 6" deep
Community: Cape Dorset, NU (Carved in Iqaluit, NU)
Stone: Serpentine
id: j-67254fjjjjy

Provenance - January 1st, 2021** 

Back in April, 2020, we launched a rare and exceptional collection of Toonoo Sharky pieces. These sculptures were carved when Inuit artists were locked down inside their homes during the early months of the Covid pandemic. Only a few artists had available material to carve which resulted in the production of a few select sculptures. 

One of those artists was Master Carver - Toonoo Sharky.

We felt compelled to record this global historical moment and compiled a special booklet documenting our “Covid Collection”. Any collector who purchased a piece from the Covid Collection received the booklet and a provenance for the sculpture documenting its unique story.

In any event, the Toonoo Sharky pieces we are adding today (January 1st, 2021) were carved in April, 2020 and are from the same collection as our Covid Collection. They were previously in the hands of another gallery but have made their way home to us. 

Happily, through a twist of fate, we can offer our clients PART 2 of the Covid Collection. 

When you purchase any of these five historic Toonoo Sharkey carvings, you will receive a Provenance in the form of a Booklet outlining the unique circumstances surrounding these sculptures.

 

PROUDLY CANADIAN SINCE 2008

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“Owl Spirit” presented by Master Carver Toonoo Sharkey (1970-).

Toonoo Sharkey is widely recognized and accepted as a major carving talent of the Inuit art world.

This precocious talent began carving at the tender age of ten and entered his first art exhibition while in his teens!

“Owl Spirit” is irrefutable proof of Toonoo’s mastery of carving and his innate ability to contrast a sense of the dramatic against the lightness of humour within his carvings. In choosing brilliant apple green marble for this piece, Toonoo departs from his usually earthy colour palette.

The impact of this choice, is the creation of a profound tension within this proud bird, magnified by the contrast between the pure white eyes and the brilliant green body.

The electrical power in this piece is palpable.

Indeed, the extensive network of fine white veins within the marble, vibrates and dances like an electrical storm on a hot summer night!

The ecstasy spirit of “Owl Spirit” demands that the viewer recognizes not only Toonoo Sharky’s profound technical skills but his magical ability to tease out the spiritual energy from the heart and souls of his creatures.

No doubt, any viewer lucky enough to include “Owl Spirit” in their art collection, will be the envy of their peers!

“Owl Spirit” is new and in perfect condition.

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

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