Beardmore, Ontario. c1970. Softwood. A classic carving of a mother black bear standing on hind legs beside her baby cub by Ewald Rentz. It is "Mama" in the classic Rentz form with dramatic outstretched arms in black, brown and gray paint. Mounted to a wooden base. Unsigned. Good condition. From the Jim Fleming Collection. 11.25" x 6" x 13.25". Ewald Rentz (1908-1995) was born in North Dakota, but grew up in Manitoba before settling in Beadmore, Ontario. A man of many trades, Rentz worked throughout his lifetime as a lumberjack, prospector, cook and a barber. During his time as a prospector, Rentz would collect unusual roots, fungus and branches which he would use to create his whimsical, often humorous, sculptures. He would 'coax the hidden forms out of the wood', turning discarded materials into intricate carvings depicting people and animals such as bellhops, matadors and mermaids. His works are renowned amongst Canadian folk art collectors and can be found on permanent display at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and in many collections across North America.