Profile: Bear

July 4 – July 31

Our July profile showcases works depicting polar bears, creatures who are synonymous with the Arctic world. One of Inuit art’s most common and popular subjects, bears evoke a range of ideas and emotions. Feared for their strength and awesome size, these resourceful predators of the tundra and ice are associated with spiritual power and are often presented by Inuit artists as emblems of shamanistic transformation and ritualistic flights to the spirit world. Bears are also admired for their playful human-like personalities, symbolized by their ability to stand upright on two legs or sit erect on the ground. The profile includes works on paper and sculptures in various organic and non-organic media.