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Bill Prokopiof (Unangan, 1944-1999) bronze bear, signed at base edition 5/24, approx 34cm H x 48cm L. Provenance - The estate of the late Mel Gottlieb In 1964, Prokopiof was recruited to join the newly-established Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he continued his jewelry studies and began making sculpture (Koster 1996). Upon graduation in 1966, he completed post-graduate work at the IAIA with renowned sculptor Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache). Houser encouraged the young artist to refine his work and continue with his art studies, and during 1967-68 Prokopiof studied sculpture and design at the San Francisco Art Institute (Giles 1998). During his time in Santa Fe, Prokopiof forged many friendships and professional working relationships with other Native American artists whom he met and studied with, including T.C. Cannon (Kiowa/Caddo), Benjamin Harjo, Jr. (Seminole/Shawnee), Dan Namingha (Hopi), and others. Prokopiof experimented with various themes and materials over his career. Initially, his sculptural works focused on Southwestern themes. Later, Prokopiof returned to his Alaskan Native roots, producing sculptures related to his Unangan heritage.