The subject of this sculpture is revealed by an Inuktitut inscription on the bottom of the sculpture: ‘It is said that he used these, a head and an igimaq (walrus harpoon), as familiars in his practice of shamanism.’ The walrus harpoon is unfortunately now missing from the work. The artist is giving his interpretation of an Inuit shaman who has a human head and a harpoon as his helping spirits. These are unusual familiars, as shamans were usually assisted by animal spirits in their communications with the spirit world.

In 2006, a major collection of 246 sculptures was donated to the Gallery by Vancouver collector Dr. Harry Winrob. Originally from Winnipeg, Winrob had made occasional purchases of Inuit carvings beginning in 1968. He became interested in seriously collecting Inuit sculpture in 1971, and soon focused on acquiring works made of organic materials from game animals (whalebone, walrus ivory, and caribou antler). Fifty-four sculptures in Winrob’s collection are created from organic materials, and thirty-six of these are of whale bone. Winrob once gave his background as a physician as the reason for his interest in these materials. However, much of his interest was also aesthetic. He was particularly interested in the flamboyant sculpture by Nattilingmiut (Netsilik) artists from Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, and Kugaaruk. Sculpture with shamanic content fascinated him, particularly animal/human transformations. He explained that it was not the “classic” but the atypical, even the bizarre that held a strong attraction for him. In March 2008, Harry Winrob’s collection was the subject of a major WAG exhibition and catalogue.