Luke Akuptangoak (1940-1987) was an accomplished Gjoa Haven sculptor who began making carvings when the Qikiqtaq Co-operative was established in that community in 1967. His work developed quickly after 1971, with the encouragement of government arts and crafts programs. In 1977, he was one of five master carvers in the community who were given carving space in the craft shop run by the government of the Northwest Territories. However, by 1982 he was forced to stop carving for health reasons. His work has been featured in a number of group exhibitions, including the major WAG exhibition and catalogue, Art & Expression of the Netsilik (1997).