Season of time
Commissioned - Tennessee, USA
This unique fine art was commissioned as a gift to celebrate an individual whose lifelong contributions in business has enriched the lives of people throughout Bristol Bay, Alaska.
Each element of this fully functional, traditional Yup’ik Eskimo story mask has deep meaning to me both personally and historically. It speaks of the region I call home, of its people, the deep connection we have with Salmon, and the outside world.
The mask is Salmon, with a person's spirit or ‘yua’ inside.
The human effigy is inset into the mouth, a symbol that the person is wearing Salmon’s skin as a cloak, as though to transform from one to the other.
This is a traditional art expression, showing the close connection our people have with Salmon throughout Bristol Bay.
The human effigy is inset into the mouth, a symbol that the person is wearing Salmon’s skin as a cloak, as though to transform from one to the other.
The mouth acts as a hood over the person’s face. Three wooden fins extend out; the topmost fin is shaped as a sail reminiscent of the double-ender sailboats used by the first commercial fishermen.
The mask is also symbolic of the original people to inherit the land, our ancestors.
Season of time | created 2022
Materials:
Willow Wood, Basswood, Cherry Wood, Red Cedar Wood Cork Floats (historically used in set nets of Bristol Bay - collected from Naknek, Alaska), Goose Feathers (domestic), Sea Glass Beads, Iron Rod, Synthetic Sinew, Commercial Fishing Twine, Chalk Paint, Natural Earth Pigments (personally gathered in Alaska)
Dimensions:
20” x 36” x 8”