GTA Inuit Art
Toronto’s #1 distributor to the corporate and collector marketplace. Over 1,000 sculptures in inventory including dancing bears and Inukshuks. Conveniently located in Etobicoke.
Toronto’s #1 distributor to the corporate and collector marketplace. Over 1,000 sculptures in inventory including dancing bears and Inukshuks. Conveniently located in Etobicoke.
You know that moment when you walk past a sculpture, keep going, then turn around for one more look? That happens a lot with Inuit soapstone carvings.
A carving can catch you off guard. You might notice the subject first, then find yourself looking at the stone, the detail, and how the artist shaped the figure. Before long, you are holding it up, turning it around and wondering where it would look best.
That is one of our favourite parts of selling Inuit art. At GTA Inuit Art, we have more than 1,000 sculptures on hand, carved by Inuit artists from communities across Canada. We are here to answer questions, share what we know, and help you find a piece you will enjoy owning for years to come.
Visit our Toronto gallery and see which carving catches your eye.
Inuit have used soapstone for generations, for both practical objects and artistic carving. Its relative softness makes it suitable for shaping, while natural variations in colour and markings can become an important part of the finished sculpture.
There is also a useful distinction to make when shopping for Inuit stone carvings. Not every Inuit carving is technically made from soapstone. Artists also work with harder stones such as serpentine, chlorite, olivine and peridotite.
For the buyer, that variety is a good thing.
When you compare carvings, look at:
Colour, markings and natural variation can make a major difference.
Look at how the artist has handled the proportions and shape of the subject.
Some pieces have a smoother finish, while others retain more of the stone's natural character.
Small changes to a face, paw, wing, fin, or posture can give a familiar subject a completely different personality.
A good sculpture should hold your attention from more than one angle.
The stone is not simply sitting underneath the artwork. It is part of the artwork.
Walk through our collection of Inuit carvings, and you'll quickly discover that familiar subjects can look remarkably different from one artist to another.
Our dancing bears are among the most popular pieces in the gallery. We have more than 75 in stock, with prices starting at $259 before our 10% discount.
The appeal is easy to understand. The raised paws and lively poses give these sculptures a wonderful sense of movement, but the differences between individual carvings are where things get interesting.
Look at the stance. Look at the head. Look at how the artist has used the stone.
You may start with a general preference for dancing bears and end up with one particular bear that you keep going back to.
We also have more than 35 walking bears in stock.
Their poses tend to feel more grounded, and they can have a particularly strong presence despite their simplicity. As with dancing bears, the best way to choose is to compare individual carvings rather than assuming one style will look the same across the collection.
Animal subjects have a long history in Inuit sculpture. The Canadian Conservation Institute notes that seals, caribou, polar bears, birds and other animals important to Inuit life appeared in early commercial Inuit carvings.
Today, artists continue to interpret these subjects in individual ways.
A seal can be wonderfully simple, relying on a few curves to establish the form. A bird may depend on the angle of its head or wings. A walrus gives an artist a very different set of shapes and proportions to work with.
That variety is one of the reasons we enjoy having a large collection. There is plenty to compare.
Inukshuks are another popular choice, particularly for Canadian-themed gifts, offices, and personal collections.
If you are looking for a soapstone Inukshuk for sale, we can help you compare pieces by size, shape, stone, and overall appearance.
Looking to buy soapstone carvings in Canada? There is no need to make the process more complicated than it needs to be. Start with what catches your eye, then take a closer look.
Choose something you genuinely enjoy looking at.
Bears are popular for obvious reasons. Seals and birds can have a quieter appeal. Inukshuks have a strong Canadian connection. Human figures can offer a completely different kind of presence.
There is no required starting point.
Two sculptures of the same subject can look entirely different because of the stone used. Look for:
Sometimes the stone itself is what makes you choose one carving over another.
This is one of our favourite pieces of advice for anyone buying sculpture.
Do not stop at the front.
Turn it around. Look at the profile. Check the back. Look at how the artist has carried the form through the entire piece.
A sculpture is meant to be seen in the round, and you may discover something you particularly like once you stop looking at it head-on.
Think about where the carving will live.
A smaller sculpture may work beautifully on a bookshelf, desk, or cabinet. A larger work may need a more prominent position where it has enough room around it.
If you are buying a gift, size can also make a difference depending on the recipient's home or office.
If information is available, find out who created the piece and where the artist is from.
We work with Inuit art from communities across Canada, including:
Learning a little about the artist and community can add another layer of meaning to the sculpture you choose.
There is only so much a photograph can tell you about a stone carving.
In person, you can see the scale properly. You can compare the stone. You can walk around the sculpture and notice details that may not be obvious in a photograph.
Our showroom is located at 7 Lake Promenade, Toronto, ON M8V 2G6. We are open 7 days a week, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm by appointment.
If you are searching for a trusted soapstone sculpture shop in Toronto, you've just found it. Call us at 416-721-5029 and arrange a visit.
You can come in knowing exactly what you want, or simply come in to look around. Both are good reasons to visit.
Yes. Inuit sculpture is a hand-carving tradition in which artists shape stone into finished forms using carving tools and techniques developed through experience. The process allows the artist to work closely with the character and shape of the stone.
Bears, seals, birds, walrus, Inukshuks, and human figures are all popular. Animal subjects have a particularly long history in Inuit sculpture, and artists continue to interpret familiar animals in very different ways.
Start with the subject you like, then compare the stone, proportions, details, size, and overall appearance. We also recommend looking at a sculpture from several angles before deciding. If you are buying your first piece, you can always ask us for help. You do not need to know the terminology beforehand.
Yes. We currently have more than 75 dancing bears in stock, with prices starting at $259 before our 10% discount.
Yes. We have more than 35 walking bears in stock. We can help you compare walking and dancing bears if you are deciding between the two.
Yes. We carry Inukshuks in different sizes and styles. Availability changes, so if you have a particular size or budget in mind, give us a call.
They can make excellent personal gifts, particularly when you choose a subject that has some meaning for the recipient. We also offer corporate awards and gifts. A base with engraving can be added to many sculptures for $89, and a company logo can be added at no additional cost.
Keep your carving somewhere stable and avoid unnecessary handling. Rings, watches, and other hard objects can scratch stone surfaces. For routine care, gentle dusting with a soft cloth or brush is generally sufficient.
Yes. We have more than 35 years of experience with carving repairs. Send us photographs showing the damage, the dimensions of the carving, and your contact information, and we can provide an estimate.
Yes. Our showroom is at 7 Lake Promenade, Toronto, ON M8V 2G6. We are open 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm by appointment. Call 416-721-5029 to arrange your visit.
Yes. We offer 10% off all purchases.