Dancing Bear Pauta Saila

Pauta Saila (1916-2009)
Dancing Bear, 1997
Bronze, 210 x 195 x 115 centimetres

The massive arctic polar bear, distilled to the base elements of its raw strength and intricate balance, is Pauta Saila's most recognizable subject. In this case, rather than render the bear realistically, Saila's work portrays the animal's powerful movement in a simplified, fluid and slightly whimsical form.