Finished June 3, 2021. This is a 3D Original One-of-a-kind carved painting. Walrus Dream was inspired by my little 6 year old grandaughter who is visiting from Mekoryuk. She was helping document my work (see video). The clams are dancing around the mask, and as you follow them they lead to the walrus. Some of them do not have eyes as they are sleeping. They are the favorite of walrus. Thus the little characters in the clams.
- Outside dimensions 16" x 20" x 1-3/8"
- Includes Ivory Mat with 11x14 opening
- Black Frame
- Includes glass and backing
- Comes ready for wall mounting
- Will accept 4-ply mat board
- Whale baleen from Nuiqsut (mask ring and wiskers), glass eye, clams from Mekoryuk, porcupine quills from interior, ptarmigan feathers, bone beads, glass beads, Kuskokwim River driftwood and acrylic paint.
Walrus Dream 1/1
Walruses provide much-needed food for Native people living in coastal communities. Walrus enjoy eating clams and other invertebrates of worms, crustaceans, sea cucumbers, and other soft-bodied animals. They spread their whiskers out to detect clams while dragging their tusks along the bottom. While grazing along the bottom, they wave their flippers to expose food, or blow powerful squirts of water on mud and sand. Unlike parrots, walrus siphon tasty clams straight from their shells.
The Yup’ik natives had festivals with two or more villages who gathered to celebrate with Yeshua Ellarpiim Yua (Person of the Universe) thanking Him for all the gifts of harvest and gathering.
After the celebration, the animals returned to Ellarpiim Yua, and told Him that they were treated well by the humans. They asked permission to return through hunting, fishing, and gathering to celebrate at another festival. Ellarpiim Yua then being pleased of the love and respect humans showed for one another, gave the fish and wildlife permission to celebrate life with humans again at the next harvest
