Broken Tusk
$4,200.00
Available
Description
‘Broken Tusk’ by Ningeokuluk Teevee from Kinngait — this 2025 original drawing in coloured pencil, oil pastel, and acrylic on paper is a magnificent, modern masterwork of contemporary Arctic allegory.
Condition: Very Good Condition. No visible creases, foxing, or discoloration. Paper surface clean and stable.
Description by Artist: No description by artist found.
Notes from DaVic Gallery: In ‘Broken Tusk’, Ningeokuluk Teevee transforms the image of a walrus into a deeply introspective symbol of endurance. The animal’s massive form rises from a bed of grey stones, its tusks gleaming against a crimson background that evokes both pain and vitality. The broken tip of one tusk becomes a quiet testament to survival — a mark of experience rather than defeat.
Teevee’s work often merges narrative and metaphor, drawing from Inuit oral traditions while exploring contemporary emotional landscapes. Here, the walrus embodies the wisdom gained through hardship: the gravel of life, the noise of difficult choices, and the persistence required to move forward. The composition’s simplicity belies its psychological depth — the creature’s upward gaze suggests reflection, acceptance, and the will to continue.
The artist’s use of mixed media — coloured pencil, oil pastel, and acrylic — creates a tactile surface that amplifies the tension between fragility and strength. The red field surrounding the walrus radiates warmth and vulnerability, while the textured stones below anchor the composition in the physical world. This interplay of material and metaphor situates “Broken Tusk” among Teevee’s most contemplative works.
Original drawings of this scale and emotional resonance by Ningeokuluk Teevee are increasingly scarce, particularly those executed in mixed media. At this price point, “Broken Tusk” represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire a museum‑quality drawing from one of Kinngait’s most celebrated contemporary artists. It stands as both a personal reflection and a universal statement on perseverance — a reminder that even broken tusks carry the story of survival.
The blank sheet of letter-size (8.5 x 11 inches) paper visible in the final reference image provides immediate scale context, underscoring the drawing’s grand dimensions, balanced spatial composition, and immense wall presence.
Copyright Note:
© DaVic Art Gallery, 2026. All rights reserved. Content may be quoted or reproduced for educational or promotional purposes only with clear attribution to DaVic Art Gallery of Native Canadian Arts and inclusion of the original artwork title and artist’s name.