Calm of the Arctic

“This is one of two large masks that were created with the calm colors of the North. I have always loved the blues and silvers of the ocean and bodies of water. The hole in the center of their forehead is to remind one to be open and honoring to the land and water. The chin carries the female chin tattoos made of large rubber buoy material, and male labrets seen on either corner of the mouth. Many masks in traditional times would carry lips frowning to represent females, and smiles for males. In many of my masks I include both marks to make these spirits of both male and female. The eyes have golden brown colors of many Yupik people in Alaska.”

-Drew Michael