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.
Walk into a collection of Inuit sculpture, and you may find yourself drawn to a piece before you know anything about it.
Perhaps it is the curve of a dancing bear, the quiet shape of a seal, the alert posture of an owl or the unmistakable form of an Inukshuk. Then you look closer. The stone has its own markings. The carving reveals details you did not notice at first. You turn it around, and the sculpture changes again.
That is one of the pleasures of collecting Inuit art.
Since 1991, GTA Inuit Art has helped collectors, corporations and private buyers find hand-carved Inuit sculptures in Toronto. With more than 1,000 sculptures on hand, we offer an extensive selection of subjects, sizes and price points, including dancing bears, walking bears, Inukshuks, seals, birds, walrus, hunters, mother-and-child carvings and larger works.
If you are searching for Inuit sculptures for sale, this is a collection worth exploring in person.
Inuit sculpture has a rich history connected to the people, places and materials of the Canadian Arctic. Artists have carved stone, bone and other materials for generations, creating objects connected with daily life as well as works intended for artistic expression.
Contemporary Inuit sculpture developed into a major Canadian art form during the mid-20th century. Communities including Kinngait, formerly Cape Dorset, became important centres for carving and printmaking. The Government of Nunavut records that James Houston arrived in Kinngait in 1953 and worked with residents to develop carving and handicraft production. The West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative followed in 1959, helping establish an important market for local artists.
The material itself is part of what makes a carving interesting. Soapstone is widely associated with Inuit sculpture, although artists use a range of stones, including serpentine, chlorite, olivine, peridotite, granite and quartz. The Canadian Conservation Institute notes that the hardness, colour, grain and natural markings of these materials influence the carving process and the finished appearance.
When you are viewing a sculpture, pay attention to:
Natural stone can range through deep blacks, greens, greys and other tones.
Variations within the stone can become part of the finished composition.
A polished surface creates a very different impression from a carving with visible tool marks or a more natural finish.
Skilled carving works with the material's original form and characteristics.
Curves, edges and polished areas can look quite different as light moves across the surface.
These details give collectors plenty to consider when comparing sculptures with the same subject.
GTA Inuit Art's collection makes it easy to begin with an animal, figure or form that already interests you.
The dancing bear is one of the most recognizable subjects in Inuit sculpture. Its appeal comes partly from the challenge of creating movement within a solid material. An artist can suggest energy through the position of the paws, the curve of the body and the balance of the sculpture.
GTA Inuit Art has more than 75 dancing bears in stock, with prices starting at $259.
When comparing them, look beyond the overall subject. One pose may feel playful, another powerful, and another almost contemplative. The stone can change the appearance considerably as well.
Walking bears offer another interpretation of the polar bear. The extended movement of the body creates opportunities for the artist to work with balance, proportion and the natural shape of the stone.
GTA Inuit Art currently has 35+ walking bears in stock, giving collectors an opportunity to compare different interpretations of the same subject.
A walking bear can also suit a display area where a more grounded pose works better than an upright or animated sculpture.
The Inukshuk has become widely recognized as a symbol associated with Canada's Arctic. Inuit use of stone structures has a much longer cultural history, and the form has meanings that depend on context and community.
At GTA Inuit Art, Inukshuks are available in various sizes, making them popular choices for homes, offices, gifts and corporate presentations.
For a gift, consider the recipient's connection to Canada, the North or the occasion. For an office or home, consider the available space and viewing height before selecting a size.
Our collection of seals, walrus and bird carvings gives wildlife collectors plenty to explore. The selection includes seals, loons, owls and other bird subjects.
People specifically searching for Inuit seal and bird carvings for sale may appreciate the variety within this category. Wildlife sculptures can be compact enough for a shelf or desk while still offering plenty of sculptural detail.
Birds are especially interesting to examine from different angles because their silhouettes can change as the sculpture turns. Seals often emphasize smooth, rounded forms, while walrus carvings can have a more substantial presence.
GTA Inuit Art's Masterpieces collection features larger and more elaborate works for collectors looking for something with greater scale or detail.
These pieces deserve consideration in relation to their surroundings. Measure the intended display area, think about viewing distance and consider how lighting will fall across the sculpture. A substantial carving can become a focal point in a living room, office, entrance or reception area.
Choosing art becomes easier when you know what matters to you.
Think about the image you want to live with. Animal carvings can have a strong connection to Arctic wildlife, while human figures and family subjects can create a very different atmosphere.
Dimensions matter. A sculpture that looks modest in a photograph can have considerably more presence in person, particularly when placed on a table or pedestal.
Ask about the material and look carefully at its natural colour and markings. These qualities can be central to the appearance of the finished work.
If artist information is available, take the time to learn about the carver and community associated with the work. For collectors, this information can become an important part of the sculpture's story.
Think about the sculpture from all sides. A piece designed to be appreciated from several viewpoints deserves enough surrounding space to be seen properly.
A personal purchase gives you complete freedom to follow your own taste. A retirement, wedding or corporate gift introduces another consideration: the recipient.
GTA Inuit Art can help you compare suitable pieces according to subject, size and budget.
An Inuit sculpture can make a particularly memorable gift because the recipient can keep it, display it and continue discovering details in it over time.
For organizations requiring multiple pieces, it helps to contact the gallery early with the quantity, preferred budget, dimensions and delivery or collection requirements.
The gallery's collection is suitable for occasions including:
GTA Inuit Art also offers corporate awards and gifts, giving organizations an alternative to conventional plaques and trophies.
The result can combine the character of an Inuit carving with practical recognition details such as the recipient's name, company and achievement. This option can work well for:
For larger orders, call 416-721-5029 and ask for Gary Notar to discuss available sculptures and requirements.
Photographs are helpful when beginning your search, but sculpture has a physical presence that photographs cannot fully convey. The scale becomes clearer. The stone becomes easier to appreciate. Details emerge as you walk around the piece.
GTA Inuit Art's showroom at 7 Lake Promenade, Toronto allows collectors to compare pieces in person.
The gallery has operated since 1991 and says it has more than 1,000 sculptures on hand. Its showroom is open 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., by appointment.
If you already have a particular subject or budget in mind, call ahead. If you are still exploring, tell the gallery what has caught your attention and ask for suggestions.
GTA Inuit Art is located at 7 Lake Promenade, Toronto, ON M8V 2G6. Our showroom is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. by appointment.
The collection includes dancing bears, walking bears, Inukshuks, seals, birds, loons, owls, walrus, hunters, mother-and-child sculptures and larger masterpieces. Inventory changes, so contact the gallery about specific subjects.
Prices depend on the subject, artist, material, dimensions and characteristics of the individual work. GTA Inuit Art currently has dancing bears starting at $259 and offers pieces across a range of price points.
Yes, we offer a dedicated collection of seals, walrus and bird carvings, including seals, loons, owls and other bird subjects. Contact the gallery for current availability and pricing.
Artists use a variety of materials, including different types of stone. The Canadian Conservation Institute identifies soapstone, serpentine, chlorite, olivine, peridotite, granite and quartz among materials used in Inuit carving.
Yes. GTA Inuit Art offers corporate awards and gifts. An engraved base can be added to just about any sculpture for $89, and the gallery states that company logos can be added at no additional cost.
Yes. The gallery provides repair estimates and states that it has 35 years of experience repairing carvings. Customers can provide photographs of the damage, the sculpture's dimensions and their contact information when requesting an estimate. Learn more about carving repairs.
The most interesting part of buying an Inuit sculpture is often the discovery. You begin with a subject you like, then notice the stone, the pose, the details and the artist's interpretation. A few minutes of looking can change which piece catches your attention.
GTA Inuit Art has been helping collectors and buyers make those discoveries in Toronto since 1991.
Visit the showroom at 7 Lake Promenade, Toronto, or call 416-721-5029 to speak with Gary Notar.