7. Owl

Kinngait (Cape Dorset)
Marble
15" x 11.5" x 5.5"

Latcholassie Akesuk’s large white marble Owl exemplifies his singular approach to sculpture—bold, endearing, and distinctly non-naturalistic. Carved with rounded, bulbous forms that seem to swell from the stone itself, the owl appears to emerge organically from a smooth, glacial boulder. Characteristic of Akesuk’s style, the sculpture’s mass is expertly wielded to obscure scale, giving it an imposing presence regardless of actual size. Wing-like protrusions extend from either side of the form, hinting at anatomy without overt definition. The face is tender and stylized: eyes rendered as gentle circular impressions, a protruding ridge for the beak, and a minimal line suggesting a quiet, contemplative mouth. With this work, Akesuk captures not just an owl, but a spirit of stillness and grounded strength, rooted in the sculptural traditions of Kinngait yet wholly his own.