Yup'ik Basket with Cross Designs, c. 1960

Basket with Cross Designs, c. 1960Yup'ik CultureHooper Bay, Alaskagrass, seal gut design, aniline dyes9" high x 11" diameterThe Yup’ik word for basket,  mingqaaq,  means “something that was sewn” (Smithsonian, 2003). Their technique for making baskets is with coiled bundles of beachgrass held together with perfectly spaced stitches, also made with beachgrass. Traditionally the baskets were used for many purposes, such as carrying food, clothes, and egging.In the mid-1900s, the tradition of basket making was lost, but it was revived a few decades ago by artists like Annie Cookie. Today, baskets made in the Arctic are considered works of art and are often decorated with geometric designs and sculptures.