Description
This charming Swimming Bear by Ottokie Samayualie is a wonderful confirmation of the talents of this new and promising carver on the Cape Dorset Scene. In a short time Ottokie has created a following for his unique representation of bears and bear cubs. See Goose by Ottokie as another example from this gifted carver.
Ottokie Samayualie, born June 17, 1980 (Cape Dorset, Nunavut), is the son of talented local artists Johnny and Kuluajuke Tunnillee. In Nunavut, it is not uncommon to see a recurring artistic talent in a family. Indeed, in this territory, talent, as well as artistic know-how, is transmitted from generation to generation rather than in an art academy.
Ottokie started sculpting at the age of 9. His favourite subject is the dancing bear, which he presents in many different poses. In his sculptures, we find a combination of imaginary and realistic poses.
His sculptures are made of the finest serpentine, in varying shades of color, then smoothed and polished to better showcase the lustre of the stone. Serpentine is a rock similar in composition to jade and is found on Baffin Island. It is a very hard stone which requires more artistic virtuosity to carve than the softer soapstone.
