Judas Ullulaq

Judas Ullulaq (1937 - 9 January 1999) was a Canadian Inuk artist recognized for his sculpture works that are mainly figural and zoomorphic.

Ullulaq's medium for sculpting is stone as well as other mixed medias such as ivory, antler, bone, sinew, and musk-ox horn, which he uses to create askewd, wide-eyed, open-mouthed faces, with abstract gestures.

Personal life Judas Ullulaq was born just northeast of Taloyoak, in a small town called Thom Bay. As a young man growing up near the northern Arctic Circle, Ullulaq would hunt caribou, muskox, seals, and polar bears.

He and his family lived at outpost camps and when he was in his early twenties, Ullulaq moved to Spense Bay.

"Mère et enfant" is a stone and antler carving of a woman ready to play a hand drum, while carrying a small child in a pouch in the hood of her parka. It is displayed in the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec in Québec, Canada.

"Fisherman" (1982)

"Fisherman" is a sculpture made out of black stone, antler, musk-ox, horn, and sinew. Ullulaq's inspiration was from his nephew, Karoo Ashevak. This sculpture depicts how to catch fish using a Kakivak while diverting the fish's attention. It is on display in the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

"Shaman's Face"

"Shaman's Face" is a carved sculpture. His nephew, Karoo Ashevak, often made works involving spirits and supernatural beings, and this was Ullulaq's influence for the piece.

"Inukshuk (like a person), (1981-1982) Is a sculpture made from Steatite (soapstone), walrus tusk, and musk ox horn. It is on display in the de Young Museum of San Francisco.

Exhibitions Group Exhibitions

“Mini- Masterworks III” Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Oct 24, 2009- Nov 15, 2009 "Sedna and her Creatures" Alaska on Madison, New York, United States Feb 7, 2013- Mar 16, 2013 "Drum Dancers" Alaska on Madison, New York, United States Jan 1, 2014- Aug 31, 2014 “10 Major Sculptures” Marion Scott Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia Jun 25, 2016- Jul 30, 2016 “Inuit Sculpture: Classic Works” Marion Scott Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia Dec 02, 2017- Jan 06, 2018

Collections Judas Ullulaq works are included in:

National Gallery of Canada Alaska on Madison Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Judas Ullulaq: An Interview by Simeonie Kunuk with Additional Questions by Janet McGrath (1995) Canadian Art: From Its Beginnings to 2000 (2000). This book goes over 300 Canadian artist who had an impact on Canada's heritage.