Description:

Floyd Kuptana (1964-2021), Paulatuk

BEAR IN UMIAK, 2011

signed and dated

Estimate: $2,000—4,000 CAD

Important:
This lot is located in Vancouver. Local pick up by special arrangement; shipment from Vancouver only.

  • Provenance: Private Collection, British Columbia
  • Dimensions: 19.5 x 10 x 14 in — 49.5 x 25.4 x 35.6 cm
  • Medium: stone, antler, leather, inlay, metal
  • Notes: Kuptana's sculptural works are deeply rooted in Inuit beliefs, culture and traumatic events that have shaped Inuit life. The comical, animated bear is a subject synonymous with Kuptana's work and it is through humour that Kuptana is able to bring light to important issues. From an early age, he assisted his cousins, Francis and Abraham Anghik Ruben as well as Bill Nasogaluak with their sculptures. He apprenticed under David Ruben Piqtoukun. This sculpture, as told by the artist to the current owner, is a story about climate change. Prophetically, Kuptana could see the effects climate change was having on the environment. This piece as described by Kuptana was a way of envisioning the survival of polar bears. The sculpture depicts a polar bear stealing - a concept in itself foreign to the Inuit - an umiak in order to get across to the rocky offshore islands where the walrus and seals conglomerated. Due to ice melt the polar bears' future was threatened as there would no longer be ice to connect the mainland to these islands.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

The Auctioneers will not undertake packing or shipping. The purchaser
must designate and arrange for the services of an independent shipper
and be responsible for all shipping and insurance expenses. The
Auctioneers will, upon request, provide names of professional packers and
shippers but will not be held responsible for the service or have any liability
for providing this information. Reliable pre-auction estimates of shipping
costs of lots offered in this sale may be obtained from:
Pak Mail
Attn: Taurus Chan
4981 Hwy 7 East, Unit 12A, Markham, ON L3R 1N1
Tel: 905.470.6874; 416.293.8225
Fax: 905.470.6875
[email protected]
www.pakmailmarkham.ca

Permits may be required for international shipments due to export restrictions on endangered species.

27 June 2024 11:00 PDT
Vancouver, BC, CA

Waddington's

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $25,000:
25.00%
$25,001+:
22.00%

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
CA$0 CA$199 CA$10
CA$200 CA$499 CA$20
CA$500 CA$999 CA$50
CA$1,000 CA$1,999 CA$100
CA$2,000 CA$4,999 CA$200
CA$5,000 CA$9,999 CA$500
CA$10,000 CA$19,999 CA$1,000
CA$20,000 CA$49,999 CA$2,000
CA$50,000 CA$99,999 CA$5,000
CA$100,000 CA$299,999 CA$10,000
CA$300,000 CA$999,999 CA$25,000
CA$1,000,000 CA$1,999,999 CA$50,000
CA$2,000,000 CA$2,999,999 CA$100,000
CA$3,000,000 CA$4,999,999 CA$200,000
CA$5,000,000 + CA$300,000