Museum of Contemporary Circumpolar Art (MCCA)

Nalenik began carving in the mid 1960s at the ge of fifteen, and likely created small ivories for the first few years. By the late 1960s he was carving large stone sculptures, mostly depictions of bears and other wildlife. Nalenik and his family moved to Kimmirut only in the late 1970s, preferring to live on the land until that time. His attitude to carvng was decidely old school as; he preferred using simple home-made carving tools. His dedication to his art is summed up nicely here: "I admire and like to watch other carvers working. Thes inspire me work hust as hard as they are, which helps me to keep doing my best, especially during long, hard cold winters when I have to work outside." (Guide to Kimmirut rtists: 2005-2006, Kyra Vladykov Fischer, artist interview with Rob Jaffray) First Arts Catalogeu, December 2022, #152 Like Pauta, Nalenik had an eye for balance and proportion, the dancing bear, massively heavy, but visually light