Face to face with Jennifer Angaiak Wood’s carved masks
We’re thrilled to share that Jennifer Angaiak Wood, one of our incredibly talented Yup’ik artists, has been featured by Cascade PBS in their Art by NW series!
Art by Northwest explores the connections between artists and their local environment, capturing the essence of how the diverse landscapes of the Northwest shape their artistic expressions. Each episode provides an intimate portrait of the creative process, as the artists reveal the meanings and motivations behind their work. Hosted by longtime Seattle arts journalist Brangien Davis.
In her front yard, Wood takes the bark off a log in preparation for a new mask. (Art by Northwest/Cascade PBS)
“The thing that fascinates me so much about masks is how you can capture the whole human experience,” she says. “You move an eye, or you adjust the mouth, and it goes from a smirk to a smile or the other way around.“
-Jennifer Angaiak Wood
Jennifer carves her masks as an expression of her Yup’ik heritage and deeply personal storytelling. Her work moves through identity, memory, and transformation—honoring tradition and, at the same time, shaping space for new stories to emerge and fresh ideas to take root. In the feature, she speaks about family, carving as connection, and the unseen truths behind the masks we wear. It’s a beautiful window into her practice and the worldview that shapes it.
“What I have been told is all old masks had rings around them,” Wood explains. “They represent our place in the universe and how we are connected to everything.” The concentric circles evoke the concept — and visuals — of a ripple effect. “We can’t do things and not expect other parts of life to be affected,” Wood continues. “It’s this idea of reciprocity — that we take care of the world around us if we expect it to take care of us.”
-Jennifer Angaiak Wood
Jennifer Angaiak Wood’s “Grandmother Walrus.” (Stonington Gallery)
L-R: “Constellation” and “Time to Feast” by Jennifer Angaiak Wood. (Stonington Gallery)
