14" Walrus by Derrald Taylor *Amongst the Waves*

Inuit Art: Walrus 
Artist: Derrald Taylor
Dimensions: 13.5" tall, 12" wide, 6" deep
Community: Tuktoyaktuk, NWT 20
Stone: Africa Kisis Stone, Moose Antler for tusks
id: d-8825cfjjy

Masterpiece Sculpture!  Museum quality Piece!

Provenance August 2021 Many Inuit art galleries are struggling to survive during the shutdowns caused by the global pandemic. Because many galleries are not able to purchase art, many artists like Derrald Taylor are contacting me directly and showing me some of the most beautiful carvings that I have seen in my career as a curator of Inuit art. 

Last week, when I presented "Respecting Our Elders" I thought I had seen Derrald Taylors masterwork.

I may have been wrong.

"Amongst the Waves" is stunning.

Taylor's orange African Kisis stone focusses our eyes on the walrus.  Actually, my eyes are glued to this piece. 

The marbling in the orange accents the underlying fat and muscle of the creature.
I find myself examining and scrutinizing this piece over and over.  

The waves are pure genius.  Taylor has sculpted the waves like a wall that drapes over the walrus, caressing it like the ocean would.

Don't you love his tusks? (The walrus' not Taylor's). They are in perfect proportion to the size of the body and the white antler adds a bit of relief from the intense fiery orange of the walrus.

Details.

Taylor is obsessed with details! 

His details are there to tease us. They add flair and reflect Derrald's originality.  

Derrald has a distinct style.  His carvings are recognizable as a Derrald Taylor piece. This is an attribute of the Master Carvers.  Not all artists achieve this level of carving.

This magnificent carving will be in someone's collection very soon.

I predict that one day, Amongt the Waves will be an exhibition piece. 

Is this your sculpture?

See our June 5. 2021 blog Spotlight on Derrald Taylor.