Judas Ullulaq facts for kids

Judas Ullulaq (pronounced ooloolah) was a famous Inuit artist from Canada. He was born in 1937 and passed away on January 9, 1999. He is well-known for his amazing sculptures, which often show people or animals.

Ullulaq mostly used stone for his art. But he also added other cool materials like ivory, antler, bone, sinew (animal tendons), and musk-ox horn. He used these to create unique faces that often looked a bit tilted, with wide eyes and open mouths. His sculptures also had abstract, expressive movements.

Early Life and Family

Judas Ullulaq was born in a small place called Thom Bay, which is just northeast of Taloyoak. His official records say he was born in July, but he was told he was actually born in the fall. When he was a young child, Ullulaq moved from Thom Bay to Fort Ross. He spent his childhood and early adult years there.

Growing up near the northern Arctic Circle, Ullulaq learned to hunt. He would hunt animals like caribou, muskox, seals, and polar bears. He and his family lived in outpost camps, which are small, temporary settlements. When he was in his early twenties, Ullulaq moved to Spence Bay. Later, he got married and had nine children – five biological and four adopted. This led him to move to Taloyoak in the late 1960s, so his children could go to school.

Art Journey

Judas Ullulaq learned to make dolls when he was a child. He spent a lot of time with the women in his community, which helped him learn this skill. When he started carving, many other people were also becoming artists to earn money. His brothers, Charlie Ugyuk and Nelson Takkiruq, are also sculptors. Charlie Ugyuk is even said to have inspired some of the most creative sculptures from the Arctic.

At first, Ullulaq carved small ivory pieces. Over time, his sculptures became much larger. He mainly carved from stone, but he loved to add details using different materials. These included sinew, ivory, musk-ox horns, antlers, and bones. Many of his artworks used dark pyroxine stones and whale bones found near Gjoa Haven.

His sculptures showed people, local legends, different animals, and characters from shamanic stories. They were always very detailed. People describe his art as having strong feelings and expressions. This comes from the exaggerated movements, wide eyes, and unique, open-mouthed faces of his figures. Many of Ullulaq’s artworks are now part of important art collections around the world, focusing on Inuit art.

Notable Artworks

• "Mère et enfant (Mother and Child)" (1997)

"Mère et enfant" means "Mother and Child" in French. This sculpture is made from stone and antler. It shows a woman getting ready to play a hand drum. She is carrying a small child in a pouch inside the hood of her parka. You can see this artwork at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec in Québec, Canada.

• "Fisherman" (1982)

"Fisherman" is a sculpture made from black stone, antler, musk-ox horn, and sinew. Ullulaq was inspired by his nephew, Karoo Ashevak, for this piece. The sculpture shows how to catch fish using a Kakivak (a type of fishing spear) by distracting the fish. It is on display at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

• "Shaman's Face"

"Shaman's Face" is a carved sculpture. Ullulaq's nephew, Karoo Ashevak, often created art about spirits and supernatural beings. This influenced Ullulaq to create this piece.

Exhibitions

Group Exhibitions

• “Mini- Masterworks III” Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (October 24, 2009 - November 15, 2009)
• "Sedna and her Creatures" Alaska on Madison, New York, United States (February 7, 2013 - March 16, 2013)
• "Drum Dancers" Alaska on Madison, New York, United States (January 1, 2014 - August 31, 2014)
• “10 Major Sculptures” Marion Scott Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia (June 25, 2016 - July 30, 2016)
• “Inuit Sculpture: Classic Works” Marion Scott Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia (December 2, 2017 - January 6, 2018)
• “Online: 150 years- 150 works Canadian Art as Historical Act” Galerie De L’uqam, Universite Du Quebec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (May 2, 2018 - May 2, 2023)

Collections

Judas Ullulaq's artworks are part of these important collections:

• National Gallery of Canada
• Alaska on Madison
• Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco