Native Art Gallery


Polar Bear

Polar Bear

Artist: Tunnillie Pauloosie

Community: Cape Dorset

Medium: Marble

Dimensions (in): W7.0 x H 4.0 x D4.0

Reference: 106592


Regular price $750.00 CAD
Regular price Sale price $750.00 CAD
Sale Sold

Polar Bear, Nanuq, called the "King of the North", 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. The polar bears of Nunavut tend to be solitary creatures, generally travelling alone in the winter. When you see two bears together, they are most likely siblings who have learned to hunt together with utmost success.

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.

This piece is carved in honour of the animal itself; it celebrates the polar bear, his spirit, his strength, and his legend.  May he always be a source of inspiration.

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Tunnillie Pauloosie

Tunnillie Pauloosie (1933–1999) was a distinguished Inuit artist from Cape Dorset, Nunavut. Known for his mastery in printmaking and sculpture, Pauloosie was an influential figure in the development of modern Inuit art. His works are celebrated for their intricate representations of traditional Inuit life, wildlife, and mythology, reflecting both personal and cultural narratives.

Pauloosie’s art gained widespread recognition through the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative, which played a significant role in promoting Inuit art globally. His prints and sculptures have been featured in numerous exhibitions and are held in prestigious collections, including those of the Canadian Museum of History and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

His legacy endures through the continued appreciation of Inuit art and the impact he made in shaping the representation of Arctic cultures in the art world. (1933–1999) was a distinguished Inuit artist from Cape Dorset, Nunavut. Known for his mastery in printmaking and sculpture, Pauloosie was an influential figure in the development of modern Inuit art. His works are celebrated for their intricate representations of traditional Inuit life, wildlife, and mythology, reflecting both personal and cultural narratives.

Pauloosie’s art gained widespread recognition through the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative, which played a significant role in promoting Inuit art globally. His prints and sculptures have been featured in numerous exhibitions and are held in prestigious collections, including those of the Canadian Museum of History and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

His legacy endures through the continued appreciation of Inuit art and the impact he made in shaping the representation of Arctic cultures in the art world.