Bill Nasogaluak's Prowling Polar Bear captures the powerful presence and measured movement of the Arctic's foremost predator. Carved in 2017 from glossy alabaster, the stone's luminous surface seems particularly well suited to evoking the polar bear's iconic coat. The subject reflects Nasogaluak's broader interest in Arctic wildlife and the complex relationships between animals, people, and the northern landscape. As the artist has noted, the bear holds particular significance in his practice, symbolizing power and strength while providing a means to explore contemporary realities in the North.[1] Revered yet feared, it is notable that the polar bear increasingly enters northern settlements in search of food as environmental changes disrupt its habitat and traditional hunting grounds.

Against this complex backdrop, Nasogaluak's sculpture emphasizes the animal's undeniable majesty. Its restrained composition and carefully balanced proportions convey both the bear's physical weight and the fluid, purposeful movement of its prowling gait.

1. Feheley Fine Arts, “Bill Nasogaluak: Shapeshifter,” February 1, 2020, https://feheleyfinearts.com/bill-nasogaluak-shapeshifter/

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We extend our gratitude to Emily Lawrence for her assistance in preparing this lot essay.