WSP.2002.008

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Details

ID Number

WSP.2002.008

Category

Communication Artifact

Sub-category

Art

Item Name

sculpture

Maker

Saila, Pauta

Title

Dancing Bear

Date

1997

Materials

BRONZE; PATINA

Measurements

8 feet tall

Description

Dancing Bear; 1997; bronze with selected patinas; 8 feet tall A somewhat abstracted form of a bear, standing on its right leg, kicking out its left, while leaning into the right hip in a jig like fashion. The bears right arm reaches out to the view as if to invite them to take his hand in a dance, while his head is tilted with the other arm held up close to the shoulder as if listening to the music. The surface is smooth and the details are only in the fingers and toes and subtle facial features.

History

This wonderful sculpture of a Dancing Bear is made of bronze and stands 8’ high. Saila’s work shows us this massive, arctic animal’s magnificent strength and powerful, fluid movement. Dancing Bear is one of the original eight pieces to be installed in the Odette Sculpture Park. It was installed in 1998. Dancing Bear is in Assumption Park between Huron Church Rd and Patricia Rd. Pauta is known particularly for his “dancing bears”, powerful, somewhat abstract sculptures of upright polar bears. The son of Saila, an important Inuit leader, Pauta grew up on his father’s immense southwestern Baffin hunting territory and knows the habits of polar bears from close observation. In the 1960’s, Pauta carved various arctic creatures as well as bears, but in the 1980’s bears balancing on one foot became his principal theme. This piece was inspired by a love of naturalism, an interest in wildlife and the spirit world. Pauta Saila (pow-ta say-la) is recognized as one of the foremost elders in Inuit art. In the Spring of 2014 the Windsor Star had a "Sculpture Park Showdown" contest similar to the bracket challenge for NCAA March Madness. There were 5 rounds in total. Dancing Bear was out after round three.

Collection Name

Windsor Sculpture Park