4" Four-way Dancing Bear by Joanie Ragee

Inuit art: Dancing Bear    
Inuit Artist: Joanie Ragee
Size: 4" tall (3.5" vertical), 3.5" wide
Community: Cape Dorset, NU
Stone: Serpentine
id: j-AL6753405cge

This is a beautiful and rare 4-way dancing bear from Cape Dorset artist Joanie Ragee. It is exceptionally difficult to make these bears balance on 2 paws - let alone all 4.

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

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 perfect and 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.