Figure Item Number: 3540/3 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Stoneware figure of a bear with its head titled back. Bear is attached to two rectangular bases; one base underneath forelegs and one below hind legs. Figure has indented circular eyes and nostrils, two semi-circular ears and an open mouth with four white teeth; interior of ears and nostrils are painted olive green. Four ovals incised along front bottom edges of paws, imitating claws; small rounded tail protrudes from back. Figure is hollow and bases are unglazed; rest of body is brown-grey with dark brown speckles throughout. Larger dark brown circles painted across back. Artist signature incised along edge of back rectangular base.
Figure was made while Makituk was a student at the Kootenay School of Art in Nelson, BC in the late 1960s; she was studying with Walter Dexter. It was acquired directly from the artist by the donor's family, who moved to Nelson in 1968.