Etidloi Adla Swimming Bear

Serpentine 12" Length x 5.1/2" Width x 6.1/4" Height

Etidloie Adla, born and raised in Cape Dorset, draws inspiration from the region's flourishing artistic community. With two exhibitions at the Inuit Gallery, this emerging artist follows in the footsteps of his renowned grandfathers, Audla Pee and Kulai Adla, who were influential carvers. Etidloie is known for his refined technique, bringing fluidity and dynamic energy to his highly realistic carvings. His brothers, Ashevak Adla and the late Mappaluk Adla, also continue the family tradition as carvers in Cape Dorset.

Serpentine is the most commonly used stone in Inuit sculptures, although ivory, caribou antler, and bones may also be carved. It belongs to a group of minerals known as hydrous magnesium iron silicate, and often has inclusions that give it a unique color variation, ranging from black, brown, or grey, to olive green or yellow. Most often, this type of stone is found in Nunavut territory, especially in Kinngait (also known as Cape Dorset), where many Inuit artists reside and create their works. This community, located on Baffin Island, is renowned as a leading Inuit art center in the circumpolar artistic scene, and the area is rich in serpentine. However, this type of stone can also be found in other regions of Nunavut.