This astonishing sculpture is a very rare depiction of a polar bear by Ullulaq. We can recall only one other bone bear (a spirit bear, really) in the artist’s oeuvre, in the Sarick Collection at the AGO (see literature). Rarity is nice, but there are many things that set Rearing Polar Bear apart. Its pose and sense of movement are truly remarkable; we feel as if the bear has just this second risen up and is catching its balance. Moreover the animal seems vitally alive and dynamic from every angle. The bear’s power and ferocity are palpable; its throat bulges with the animal’s mighty roar. And Ullulaq’s working of the amazing piece of whale bone and his choice and handling of the various inlay materials is nothing short of virtuosic. We can think of only one other bone bear that comes close to this one in terms of sheer brilliance and audacity: Henry Evaluardjuk’s Gesturing Bear from c. 1974 (see Walker’s Auctions, May 2012, Lot 47). Bravo, Ullulaq. Phenomenal.

Literature: One of the other rare examples of large bears by the artist is an untitled whale bone spirit bear wielding a knife and whip; see Gerald McMaster ed., Inuit Modern: The Samuel and Esther Sarick Collection (Toronto: Art Gallery of Ontario, 2010), p. 96. For some interesting comparisons, see a fine bear from 1973 by Ullulaq’s famous nephew Karoo, and one by Taloyoak artist Steven Alookee (1937-) illustrated in Darlene Coward Wight, Art & Expression of the Netsilik (Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2000), pages 68 and 50 respectively.