| The Inuit Eskimo people of the Arctic use their keen | | | | husky dogs.One of the most sought after type of |
| observations of their wildlife surroundings to help | | | | Inuit Eskimo art is the dancing polar bear sculpture. |
| choose which subjects to portray in their artwork. | | | | These polar bears are portrayed upright with one of |
| Pretty well all sorts of Arctic wildlife including seals, | | | | the hind legs raised. This makes the bear appear to |
| walruses, birds and whales are represented in Inuit | | | | be dancing as it is balancing on one leg. On occasions, |
| Eskimo art sculptures. The most popular Arctic wildlife | | | | polar bears have been portrayed balancing on one of |
| subject for both seasoned artists and fans of Inuit | | | | the front paws with the head towards the ground |
| Eskimo art seems to be polar bears. For some | | | | and hind legs up in the air. This would depict a diving |
| reason, the polar bear has been chosen as the top | | | | polar bear. Needless to say, only expert carvers can |
| animal to represent the Arctic north. Many Inuit | | | | successfully produce any type of sculpture that is |
| Eskimo soapstone carvers strive to make polar bear | | | | balanced on one leg whether it is the front or hind |
| sculptures but since this animal is not the easiest | | | | one. Again, this becomes a factor in the overall price |
| subject to carve, usually only experienced individuals | | | | of the Inuit Eskimo art sculpture.Some art critics |
| can produce decent bears. Novice carvers tend to | | | | suggest that the dancing polar bear is not true Inuit |
| tackle easier subjects such as seals and whales | | | | Eskimo art since the pose is not representative of |
| before moving onto polar bears. This is the main | | | | real nature. Indeed, many Inuit Eskimo communities |
| reason why in most cases, a polar bear sculpture will | | | | do not produce dancing polar bears while others do. |
| be priced higher than a seal or whale sculpture of | | | | Regardless, there is consumer demand for dancing |
| similar size.Although most Inuit Eskimo art sculptures | | | | bears so there will always be Inuit Eskimo artists who |
| of polar bears tend to be in walking positions with all | | | | will make them. The dancing polar bears can be seen |
| four legs on the ground, this is not always the case. | | | | as an example of the wild imagination that many Inuit |
| Sometimes, polar bears are depicted in sitting, lying or | | | | Eskimo artists have.Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit |
| even swimming positions. In some instances, finished | | | | Gallery an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and |
| polar bears also include some sort of prey such as | | | | Northwest Native American art including carvings, |
| fish or seals. Complex sculptures of hunting scenes | | | | sculpture and prints. |
| can involve a polar bear plus an Inuit hunter and his | | | | |