Native Art Gallery


Dancing, Diving Bear

Dancing, Diving Bear

Artist: Tim Pee

Community: Cape Dorset

Medium: Soapstone

Dimensions (in): W3.5 x H 9.0 x D5.0

Reference: 108270


Regular price $1,975.00 CAD
Regular price Sale price $1,975.00 CAD
Sale Sold

Endearingly called the "King of the North", the Polar Bear, or Nanuq, is the greatest predator of the Arctic and a powerfully respected animal.  He is the one animal that is at home both on land and water.  He is built for his environment and has no troubles surviving the long, harsh winters.

Some Inuit believe that how we live our lives affects what we become in the afterlife. Apparently, the best reward for a life-well-lived is to return in the form of the polar bear.  This is because the ‘King of the Arctic’, as he is endearingly called, is strong enough to survive the long, cold winters. Instead of carving polar bears only in walking positions or other poses often seen in nature, Inuit carvers began to make bears in upright positions, often standing on one hind leg.  This pose represents the polar bear in a happy state of dancing and celebration. Some carvers claim that dancing bears represent a form of shamanism and transformation between a human and a bear.

The Dancing Bear shows gratitude for having been recognized and rewarded for his efforts.  May this sculpture celebrate the successes of your life.

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Tim Pee

Tim Pee, born on July 17, 1976, in Kinngait (Cape Dorset) on Baffin Island, Nunavut, is an acclaimed Inuit artist known for his exceptional stone carvings, particularly of polar bears. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in Inuit art, Tim is the grandson of the renowned carver and printmaker Kananginak Pootoogook and related to artists Johnny Pootoogook and Ashevak Adla. He began carving at the age of 15, honing his skills under the guidance of Audla Pee, and has since become one of the most recognized carvers in the region. His sculptures, typically carved from local serpentine stone, are celebrated for their lifelike detail and dynamic poses, capturing the power and grace of polar bears.

Tim Pee’s work reflects a deep connection to his Inuit heritage and the Arctic environment. His carvings are marked by their realistic proportions and the unique character he imparts to each piece. Over the years, his polar bear sculptures have gained significant recognition and are featured in numerous private and public collections, including the Kenosha Public Museum. Tim has also participated in various exhibitions, showcasing the cultural and artistic richness of Inuit traditions.

Today, Tim Pee continues to live and work in Kinngait, where he remains dedicated to his craft, further developing his style while preserving the essence of Inuit art. His bears, whether walking, standing, or dancing, continue to command attention and are highly sought after by collectors worldwide.