Bear of the Century 500 lbs Black Walking Bear Joe Jaw Ashoona

Inuit art: Walking Bear  
Inuit Artist: Joe Jaw Ashoona
Size: 33" long, 18" high, 14" wide, 487 lbs.
Community: North-West Territories
id: c-8837

** SHIPPING - TBD (Estimated at $2,000-$3,000 within North America)

** This item is Eligible for Layaway Plan

Provenance February 2020 - We are unleashing two of the largest and spectacular Inuit bear sculptures that we have ever seen.

This is your “once in a lifetime” opportunity to acquire one of the most beautiful bears ever crafted by an Inuit artist.

This is not an exaggeration.

I venture to say that the rarity of these bears (because of their size and their realistic style) makes it highly unlikely that we will see the likes of these bears again.

The monetary value of these two pieces will escalate over the years. Imagine leaving this majestic art piece to your heirs or to a Canadian Art Gallery. You would make it possible for generations of people to appreciate and marvel over the beauty of these uniquely Canadian carvings.

Happily, there are two bears. We have spent months in preparation for the reveal of our “gentle giants” (ie. delivery, logistics, photography, podiums and placement). Then we had to negotiate through the challenges of the current pandemic!

But FINALLY, we are so proud, elated and honoured to show you these incredible bears by one of the most talented carvers of bears, Inuit artist Joe Jaw Ashoona.

I think it is worth repeating ..... These are singular, never to be seen again pieces. These bears are a great investment. Their potential for investment makes me think that they are probably underpriced.

But what IS priceless is the perfection reflected in the details of the sculptures. There is not a single whisper of a flaw in the deep black stone. The finish is a polished mirror shine that shimmers and glows.

A special thank you to my friends, Stephane and Patrick, for helping me handle these pieces.
              
Masterpiece Sculpture! Museum quality Piece!
                                    

This brilliant black bear is part of a series of three bears carved by Master carver Joe Jaw Ashoona in the summer of 2018.

Joe Jaw has an incredible talent for carving bears. There is a joie de vivre about Joe Jaw’s bears that brings me happiness and inspires me as a curator and a passionate collector of Inuit art.

Joe Jaw’s father Artist Bob Kussy tells me, “Joe Jaw has a unique personal connection with the polar bear on many levels... as the dynamic predator who shares the Arctic with all Inuit. As a Carver, Joe regularly pushes the stone to amazing effect because the bear provides unique opportunities to engage in larger works.” (Feb 5, 2020)

This barely mature adult bear walks with the bravado of the young! He expects to be taken seriously. He wants to be feared!

The polish on this carving is unequivocally perfect. The stone is flawless. The intensity of the black marble is not only rare and unique; it is spectacularly dashing.

These three bears of Joe Jaw Ashoona’s will, in short, be the nicest bears you will ever see in the history of Inuit. To have one of the bears to offer my clients is amazing, BUT to have all three of bears in the series is simply unbelievable.

Joe Jaw is at the pinnacle of his talent. He has carved three very large bear carvings which are one of a kind. In the 12 years that I have been a curator and the 5 years that I was a pilot transporting Inuit carvings, I have never seen bear carvings of this size and quality. This is by far the largest bear we have ever had in the gallery (12 years plus).

These bears may be the last carvings of Joe Jaw Ashoona for some time. For the moment, he is not carving.

Any collector who understands the value of these bears must take this opportunity now. The bravado and depth of these pieces are like nothing I have seen before.

Although this piece could be placed on a low pedestal, I love that it looks spectacular simply sitting on the floor as you see it in the gallery. In a home, business or holiday getaway, this sculpture will command attention.

The sense of atomic proportions, roundness and rhythmic posture is palpable. The overall effect is utterly charming.

If you feel that your collection deserves one of the finest pieces of Canadian Art on the market today, than this is a very good day for you.

See our May 7, 2021 blog CBC TV Spotlight on Goota and Joe Jaw Ashoona.

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