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Native Art Gallery

Walking Bear

Walking Bear

Artist: Tommy Takpane Jr.

Community: Iqaluit

Medium: Marble

Dimensions (in): W3.0 x H 5.0 x D8.0

Reference: 107493

$1,250.00 CAD
$1,250.00 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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Tommy Takpane Jr.

Tommy Takpanie Jr. is an Inuit artist renowned for his masterful stone carvings, particularly of polar bears. Born in 1964 in Iqaluit, Nunavut, he hails from a family of accomplished carvers, including his father, Tommy Takpanie Sr., and several siblings. Unlike his father's depiction of dancing bears, Tommy Jr. is known for his realistic and dynamic portrayals of polar bears in motion, a theme he deeply connects with, considering it both a family legacy and a personal passion.

Takpanie Jr.'s works have gained significant recognition, being showcased both nationally and internationally. Notably, his sculptures were part of the 1993 exhibition "The Bear: Sculpture" at Albers Gallery in San Francisco. His bears are highly sought after, and he continues to carve full-time, contributing to the rich tradition of Inuit art with each creation.

Tommy's sculptures reflect the power and grace of the polar bear, embodying the connection between Inuit culture and the Arctic environment. His art has been featured in numerous exhibitions across Canada and beyond, solidifying his reputation as a key figure in contemporary Inuit art.