Bear Sculpture

Dr. Walter Koerner commissioned Reid to make this sculpture for his personal collection. It was originally commissioned for his backyard garden, but Koerner decided it looked too large for the space so he donated it to UBC. It was installed on the UBC campus in 1963, in the woods near International House. A bronze plaque made for that location reads: Haida Bear by Bill Reid Presented to UBC by Walter C. Koerner 1963. At some point, after the new Museum building was built, the bear was transferred to MOA and moved indoors. Listed as item number 175 in the catalogue "Bill Reid: a Retrospective Exhibition" (1974; Vancouver Art Gallery).

Bears were an important crest of Raven lineages.

Large wood crouching bear, adzed to emphasize the sculptural form, carved from solid block of wood. The hind legs and paws are bent; the front legs are slightly bent while the front paws lie flat. The snout and ears are large and protruding; the eyes, ears, mouth and bared teeth are carved. The red tongue extends out over the lower teeth and lip. Facial areas painted red and black.