12" Mother and Cub Swimming Bears by Bill Nasogaluak

Inuit art: Swimming Bears
Inuit Artist: Bill Nasogaluak
Size: 12" long, 4" high, 3" wide 
Community: Yellowknife, NWT
Stone: Alabaster
id: jl-44-1027acbjy

This is a gorgeous pairing of a Mother bear and her cub. Shoulder to shoulder, the strength of their bond will mean life or death for them as they negotiate the Arctic waters.

I find myself holding my breath silently encouraging them to be strong. Hoping they will reach their destination unharmed.

The alabaster stone is exquisite. The green and orange is deep and rich and seems to constantly glow.

The uniqueness of this stone will entice the avid Inuit art collector to want to include this heart warming sculpture in their collection.

This would be the perfect gift for any parent or grandparent.

This carving shows Bill Nasogaluak’s ability to create magic.

Bill Nasogaluak (1953 - )

Bill was born in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. Bill said that his art was influenced by Michelangelo: “He could paint, and he could carve; awesome” (Nasogaluak in Mitchell 1996). As a child, he was painting, carving, and participating in art contests. Since 1992 he is carving full time. Bill was in a 1993 group show in San Francisco with his cousins Abraham Anghik Ruben and Joe Nasogaluak.  

Bill Nasogaluak’s started as a graphic artist, but in recent years he has focused mostly on carving.

In 2007, Bill Nasogaluak created inukshuk sculptures on behalf of the Government of Canada for public spaces in Guatemala City, and Monterrey, Mexico. He also co-designed the Territorial Mace of the Northwest Territories, which was unveiled in 2000. In 1994, one of Bill's creations was given to Prime Minister Jean Chretien by the Government of the Northwest Territories.