Spirit Mask Totem by Jerome Saclamana, Inupiaq

Spirit Mask Totem by Jerome Saclamana, Inupiaq Culturewalrus ivory, baleen, feathers, pigment10” high x 4.5” wide x 1.75” deep  Inupiaq artist Jerome Saclamana was born in Nome, Alaska on July 20, 1963. His parents were both born and raised on King Island, a small island located about 40 miles (64 km) offshore, south of the village of Wales, Alaska,and about 90 miles northwest of Nome. “I started making my artwork from my dad and uncles carving when I was young. They would hand me a piece of ivory and show me how to make a seal.  I would get a file and motor tools and they would show me which way to cut and file. I would watch and imagine the shape of the seals that we hunt and catch. Then in high school, I took an art culture class. There was a teacher who taught carving. I started making artwork because of my dad at home, I would watch him carve and after a certain amount of time he would hand me a piece. I started on things that were simple then I started on making masks, half man-s