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Discover Mid-America - March 2008
More artifacts from
Alaska coming to market
Over the last decade, the increase of tourists traveling to Alaska has created collector interest in the art and objects made in the past and present by the Eskimo or “Inuit” people. Just as Native American Art came to be finally appreciated and collected now Native Alaskan art and artists are gaining recognition. Prices can be expected to rise.
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| Salmon-seal mask. Made in 1945. (courtesy of the University of Alaska Museum) |
Many of the contemporary artists are becoming well known thanks to The Master Artist and Apprentice Program sponsored by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, University of Alaska Museum. Native art, both traditional and non-traditional, are encouraged. When the objects come to auction they are still modestly priced. Stone carvings depicting Alaskan people and animals can sell from the low hundreds to $8,000 or more. Other popular and collectible items include basketry, beadwork, weaving and skin sewing.
Historically the Eskimo, or Inuit people, inhabit the territory stretching from southeast Alaska and Canada to Greenland. Their art is based on mythology that grew out of an environment steeped in legends of the creatures around them, such as whales and caribou. In the Aurora Borealis or Northern lights, they saw imaginary images of deceased family and friends dancing in the next life.
Native Alaskan Bert Ryan has been carving masks since 1978. They are made of birch, abalone, leather and acrylics. He is well known to collectors. Wood carver Nathan Jackson is internationally recognized as one of Alaska’s finest carvers. He is a member of the Tlingit tribe, where art is part of the social system. Many of the traditional designs include the killer whale, eagle, raven and beaver. Today he is known for his large totem poles, masks and even small items such as form-line bracelets in silver and gold.
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| Alaskan stone carving, signed on the base “Tivi 78.” (courtesy of James Julia Auctions, Fairfield, ME) |
Basket collectors have discovered the grass baskets made by Jeanette Trumbly, since she began making them in 1980, and Anna Martins, the master, who taught her. Another master basket maker is Elsie Douglas known for her fancy birch bark and willow root baskets.
The art of beading and skin sewing have been traditionally linked together. Shirley Holmberg, like so many of the other Alaskan artisans, learned beading from a master, Lilly Pitka. Holmberg combines porcupine quills, beads and dentalium shells on traditional dresses made of skins. Another bead artisan, Donna Pulliam, specializes in slippers and moccasins.
Doll collectors have long collected Ruby Eningowuk’s charming dolls. Dressed in Native Alaskan clothing, they are made of ivory, squirrel skin, sealskin and birch bark. She is known for using traditional clothing designs.
CLUES
Museum gift shops and galleries are the best places to begin a collection, or directly from the artist. And, when they come to an auction.
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