Iqaluit | Frobisher Bay

Lucassie Kootoo, born in 1962 in Iqaluit (formerly Frobisher Bay) on Baffin Island, Nunavut, is a sculptor whose preferred subjects are Arctic animals. Among them, the musk ox holds a central place in his work.

Recognizable by its massive build, thick woolly coat, and curved horns, the musk ox embodies strength, resilience, and the ability to endure the extreme conditions of the North. These qualities make it a privileged source of inspiration for Kootoo, who translates them into his sculptures with both expressive power and great sensitivity.

Faithful to traditional methods, the artist carves entirely by hand, favoring the precision and authenticity of the gesture over modern power tools. His works thus reflect a deep respect for ancestral techniques as well as for the animals that inhabit the Arctic world.