Bryon L Amos " Bowhead Mask Design"

This mask design is inspired of the Northern Alaskan Inupiaq people who still practice the Subsistence lifestyle. The various tribes of the Northern Inupiaq (In-nup-iaq), people have hunted the great Bowhead Whale since the ancient times. The whale provided the food source, clothing, and the hunting tools the people needed to survive the harsh winter environments. During the Spring season, the people would prepare for the hunt of the Bowhead whale using handcrafted skin boats made of driftwood frame and walrus skin.The mask identifies the bowhead whale as the centerpiece, the Snowy owl is also highly respected as the owl that remains in the artic year-round, often feeding on Arctic tundra lemmings, and young Arctic hare. The wings of the snowy owl are also presented with the clawed feet of the Owl, also the tail of the owl are also presented. The Owl remains significant to the mask design only because it is highly respected for its endurance in survival of the harsh Arctic environments