Bear Walking, 1982
by Henry Evaluardjuk (1923-2007)
Igloolik, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada
soapstone
4” high x 7” long x 2” deep
Henry Evaluardjuk was born in 1923 in Igloolik, in the Qikiqtaaluk Region in Nunavut. Over the course of his life, he travelled to and lived in Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, Markham Bay, Lake Harbour and Cape Dorset. Henry settled in Iqaluit in 1959 with his family.
Evaluardjuk is known primarily for his sculpture but his talent is equally lies in his drawings and paintings. Henry's style is realism. Like many other Inuit artists, he mostly draws his inspiration from the Arctic wildlife. His favourite subject matter are polar bears, often in unusual or heroic poses, or with exaggerated proportions. Evaluardjuk's ability to bring out the animal essence is what make his sculpture distinctive.
Evaluardjuk is also one of the few Inuit artists to depict the human face in his sculpture. His portraits of ordinary people from his community are skillfully executed in detail and expressionism.
