9" Majestic Bear by Bill Nasogaluak

Inuit art: Scenting Bear 
Inuit Artist: Bill Nasogaluak
Size: 9" long, 4" high, 3" wide 
Community: Tuktoyaktuk, NWT
Stone: Alabaster
id: d-77385eejy

Bill Nasogaluak was Walker's (Auction House) featured artist for their annual Inuit art auction that was held in November 2017.

This is a gorgeous Nasogaluak bear carved in an exquisite and unique Alabaster stone.

The chic charcoal white finish gives this piece a luminescent glow. Nasogaluk’s bears are always striding with purpose perhaps in search of food. His details and proportions are perfect. Nasogaluak’s bears tend to be sleek and well muscled.

If you love this white “polar bear” stone, see Bill’s 10.5” majestic swimming bear. I love this classic pose of a swimming bear. It is the quintessential Canadian polar bear pose. How often have you seen a polar bear swimming through the Arctic water with only neck and head exposed?! This is the ultimate in Canadian sculpture.

On page 3 of New Arrivals, look at Bill’s extraordinary Orange Pekoe bear. Nasogaluak loves to use stone that is unique either in colour or texture. This bear is sleek and smooth and exotically coloured. He is scenting the air. Curious and alert.

Avid Inuit art collectors know that the uniqueness of the stone of their carvings will elevate the prestige of their collection.

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.

PROUDLY CANADIAN SINCE 2008