22" Three Circus Dancing Bears by Joanie Ragee

Inuit art: Dancing Bears  
Inuit Artist: Joanie Ragee
Size: 22" high, 9" wide, 5" deep Weight: 20.6 lbs
Community: Cape Dorset, NU
Stone: Serpentine
id: dfa-6309Lbfjjy

Joanie Ragee’s tower of bears is genius!

He has taken the well loved Dancing bear motif and elevated it to new heights.

Not just one Dancing bear but TWO Dancing bears balancing on the back of a very patient but somewhat concerned looking Walking bear!

This piece is not only an engineering nightmare to carve, it is overflowing with comic humour. The expression on the face of the walking bear is priceless. He looks concerned and chagrinned but at the same time he is trying to look confident and strong.

I love this piece.

Joanie Ragee is a very well established artist and is recognized internationally for his dancing bears. They are full of life. This is what attracts Inuit art enthusiasts to his works.

                            PROUDLY CANADIAN SINCE 2008

JOANIE RAGEE (1986 - )

Date of Birth: May 2nd,1986
Place of Birth: Iqaluit
Residence: Cape Dorset
Medium/Materials: serpentine, sometimes marble

Joanie began carving inukshuks (usually young artists start with inukshuks, they are the easiest to carve) at the age of 12 and has since developed an affinity towards carving animals. His favourite subject is the polar bear. Joanie’s polar bears are realistically carved, with a good sense of mass and movement.

Joanie’s father is Nowdlak Noah from Iqaluit. His biological brother is Siutiapiq Ragee, and uncles are Toonoo Sharky and Napachie Sharky (all are also famous Inuit artists).
He used to watch his father and others carve, which is how he learned, by observing them. He loves carving. He is now famous for his sculptures, especially large dancing bears. He works hard to ensure that his carvings are nice and to make his carvings realistic.

Joanie is still considered young but has talents that are as good as any seasoned professional artist. Joanie’s bears can be found in all major Inuit art galleries.

Cited:
Fisher, Kyra Vladykov. Guide to Cape Dorset Artists. Cape Dorset: Municipality of Cape Dorset, 2008.