Shishmaref, UNITED STATES: Artist Herbie Nayokpuk, 77, of Shishmaref, Alaska, works on his Eskimo sculptures 27 September 2006 which he sell as souvenirs. Shishmaref, home of Inupiat Eskimos, is located 20 miles (32kms) south of the Artic Circle. Shishmaref, on an island reachable only by air and inhabited for 4,000 years, is facing evacuation because of global warming. Temperatures that have risen 15F (4.4C) over the last 30 years are causing a reduction in sea ice, thawing of permafrost on which the village was built and making the shoreline vulnerable to erosion. Scientist report that other Alaskan towns are suffering similar problems, but point to Shismaref as an indicator of what can be expected in other parts of the world. Residents are planning to relocate to the mainland, making them the first refugees of global warming. AFP PHOTO/GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
Shishmaref, Alaska
My grandfather, Herbie Nayokpuk created traditional scrimshaw Inupiaq sculptures carved out of ivory. He told traditional stories by etching on the ivory and his focus was with his sculptures and linework with his ink etchings in his ivory. Scrimshaw is carving or etching done in bone or ivory.
Herbie Nayokpuk
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-herbie-nayokpuk-eskimo-1863059320
Herbie used ivory harvested from the subsistence lifestyle my family practiced. He used the ivory to make art to tell our traditional Inupiaq stories as a form of self-expression. He carved the ivory and etched stories into the ivory, telling about family and kinsmanship, dog-mushing, hunting and gathering in Northern Alaska.
Shishmaref, UNITED STATES: Artist Herbie Nayokpuk, 77, of Shishmaref, Alaska, shows one of his Eskimo sculptures 27 September 2006 which he sell as souvenirs. Shishmaref, home of Inupiat Eskimos, is located 20 miles (32kms) south of the Artic Circle. Shishmaref, on an island reachable only by air and inhabited for 4,000 years, is facing evacuation because of global warming. Temperatures that have risen 15F (4.4C) over the last 30 years are causing a reduction in sea ice, thawing of permafrost on which the village was built and making the shoreline vulnerable to erosion. Scientist report that other Alaskan towns are suffering similar problems, but point to Shismaref as an indicator of what can be expected in other parts of the world. Residents are planning to relocate to the mainland, making them the first refugees of global warming. AFP PHOTO/GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
Herbie Nayokpuk, September 27th, 2006
Shishmaref, Alaska
Alaskan Natives depend on hunting and fishing for survival, therefore Inupiaq Eskimos are some of the few people allowed to sell ivory as artwork. They are allowed to sell it once it is been crafted. The walrus is not endangered and has been thriving in numbers compared to 100 years ago.
This artwork tells a story about the culture and traditions of Inupiaq people from Shishmaref, Alaska. This artwork helps Indigenous youth to understand their roots, where they come from, how they came to be, and who they are.
http://alaska.gov/kids/learn/nativearts.htm
Bibliography
Bouys, Gabriel. “Artist Herbie Nayokpuk of Shishmaref, Alaska, Works on His Eskimo…” Getty Images, http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/shishmaref-united-states-artist-herbie-nayokpuk-of-news-photo/72096353.
“Vintage Herbie Nayokpuk Eskimo Vintage Scrimshaw Bracelet Panels Beads Buttons.” Worthpoint, http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-herbie-nayokpuk-eskimo-1863059320.
“Traditional Arts.” Traditional Arts, Traditional Arts, Alaska Kids’ Corner, State of Alaska, alaska.gov/kids/learn/nativearts.htm.
Indigenous Voice 
What an incredible medium of art! Ivory etching must take a long time to master. The fact that the scenes are etched into an animal’s bone that was hunted and killed adds a primal aspect to the scenes. The primal juxtaposed with the softness and kindness of the scenes (such as the one where the mother has a baby on her back) shows humanity connected to the earth, the true roots. The medium itself contributes a lot to the art.
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That is so amazing! I love how traditional it is. They look so perfect I wonder how long it took him to perfect his craft. In my village, we paint, bead, and sew. However, no one has ever carved anything like this. It is so cool that he passed down his stories to you and I hope he passed down the craft skills too.
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Repost for grade: That is so amazing! I love how traditional it is. They look so perfect I wonder how long it took him to perfect his craft. In my village, we paint, bead, and sew. However, no one has ever carved anything like this. It is so cool that he passed down his stories to you and I hope he passed down the craft skills too.
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Interesting post, your grandfather was a wonderful artist. It’s also interesting how the article mentions the people who are evacuating as the first refugees of global waring. You mention in the beginning, the line work in his etched pieces which tell the story of everyday life and traditional stories. The contrast between the paleness of the ivory and the black pigment is stark. Herbie Nayokpuk uses repetitive lines to create patterns and textures. These etchings are perfect for story telling. I’m curious about the carving, there are repetitive element in the carving and has a smooth texture. The feathers repeat, and there is a clear distinction between both sides of the face which is asymmetrical. One eye is black, that emphasizes the difference of the eye compared to the left one, it also stands out against the ivory. An organic composition that uses a variety of shapes such as the main focal point of the face, then the feathers, and the walrus figures. The depth of the grooves carved adds lines and value to the piece depending on the the lighting. I would have enjoyed reading about your view of the elements of these art pieces, you mention a few elements, in addition to the history you provided on your grandfathers art work.
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