The engraving Young Woman by Inuit artist Shekoaloak is a rare and precious work, both for its artistic quality and its historical significance in the emergence of contemporary Inuit graphic art. ⸻ ? Presentation of the work: Young Woman (1959) Created in 1959, Young Woman is a stonecut. The work is part of the very first official collection of engravings published by the Cape Dorset Print Studio, marking a turning point in the history of Inuit art. The composition features a young woman standing, represented with great formal simplicity and linear elegance. The clean style, characteristic of the early engravings from Cape Dorset, reflects a modernist aesthetic influenced by Inuit visual traditions. This engraving has been presented in specialized auctions, including at Waddington's in Toronto, where it was estimated between CAD 3,000 and 5,000. It is also referenced in Inuit art databases, such as that of the National Gallery of Canada. ⸻ ? Artist biography: Shekoaloak (ca. 1940–1959) Shekoaloak was an Inuit artist from Kinngait (formerly Cape Dorset), in present-day Nunavut. Born around 1940, he died prematurely in 1959 at the age of about 19. Despite his short life, he made significant contributions to the emergence of modern Inuit graphic art. His work Young Woman is one of the few known engravings by him, making this piece all the more valuable. It reflects the artistic vitality of the Cape Dorset community in the late 1950s, a period during which artists such as Kenojuak Ashevak, Pitseolak Ashoona, and Tudlik also began to gain recognition. Shekoaloak participated in the first collection of engravings published by the Cape Dorset Print Studio in 1959, alongside other pioneering artists. This initiative, supported by James Houston, aimed to promote Inuit art to a broader audience and provide new economic opportunities for Canadian Northern artists. ⸻ ? Historical and artistic importance Young Woman is much more than a simple engraving: it represents a foundational moment in the history of contemporary Inuit art. As one of the first works published by the Cape Dorset Print Studio, it embodies the emergence of a new form of artistic expression, blending Inuit traditions with modern printmaking techniques. The rarity of Shekoaloak's works, combined with the aesthetic quality of Young Woman, makes it a particularly sought-after piece by collectors and museum institutions. It is regularly featured in exhibitions devoted to Inuit art and is part of prestigious public and private collections. ⸻ ? References and additional resources • Waddington's Auction House: catalog of the May 2013 auction, including Young Woman by Shekoaloak. • First Arts: detailed presentation of the work Young Woman (1959). • ArtValue.ca: information on auction sales and the value of Shekoaloak's works. • National Gallery of Canada: database of Inuit artists, The engraving is in very good overall condition, Style: 1940-1960 Genre: Outsider art Features: On Paper Theme: Character