3. Caribou

Kinngait (Cape Dorset)
Serpentine, Antler
16.5” x 7" x 13”

This elegant standing caribou sculpture by legendary Inuit artist Osuitok Ipeelee (1923–2005) is a testament to Ipeelee’s technical skill and artistic vision. Carved from a single piece of dark serpentine, the stone reveals striking vertical bands of light green and brown minerals that run through the caribou’s body and face, enhancing the sculpture’s natural rhythm and vitality. The caribou’s thin, slender legs—seamlessly connected to a narrow stone base—are a remarkable feat, given the challenges of working with serpentine. 

Achieving such fine, weight-bearing forms in this often brittle material speaks to Ipeelee’s extraordinary craftsmanship and intimate understanding of stone. Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished Inuit sculptors of the 20th century, Ipeelee was best known for his iconic depictions of caribou, an animal revered in Inuit culture for its spiritual and practical significance. This sculpture is not only a technical triumph, but a poignant reflection of the deep respect between artist, animal, and land.