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| Fine Art in the Far North: What to Know and
What to Ask |
| The unique crafts produced in Alaska capture
the hearts and souls of its artists—natives and non-natives alike
who are tied to their land in a very deep way. From birch trees to whalebone,
Alaskan crafts come from the earth and the ancient past. They and reflect
the values and love these artists have for their home—an artistic
expression of the Alaskan spirit. And bringing home a piece of that spirit
helps remind you of what makes Alaska so special.
The selection can be overwhelming…and intimidating. Here’s
what you need to know when shopping. |
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| Smart Arts & Crafts Shopping |
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Paintings and Prints:
Originals are easy: if a piece speaks to you and is in your price range,
don’t wait. With prints, find out if it’s an original edition
or a replication of an original in limited edition signed by the artist.
The latter comes in several forms, giclée prints being the closest
representation of the original (and the most expensive). |
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Ivory and Bone: Ivory
has three distinct forms here. Fresh walrus ivory, from the migrating walrus
still hunted from traditional skin boats, is almost always bright white
and can only be carved by a native Alaskan. Ancient walrus ivory, which
can be black, blue, or dusty red, is dug up or found, and can be carved
by non-natives. And anyone can carve ancient mammoth ivory, which has a
distinct crosshatch pattern versus a more solid walrus tusk with speckled
core. All are excellent; just decide if you want a piece carved by a Native.
Bones are significantly more porous than the ivories (because marine animals
need buoyancy). You’ll see fresh and ancient whalebone and walrus
jawbone, but only the natives are allowed to carve fresh bone. |
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Antler: Both moose and
caribou antler are commonly used as basket and ulu handles, bases for whalebone
pieces, or as carvings of their own. Sheep horn also makes for unique artistry,
since intricate scenes can be carved out of its curling shape and rugged
texture. |
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Soapstone and Jade: Soapstone
is a favorite for sculpture. Though most of the raw stone comes from the
Continental U.S., Alaskan artists have put their own wondrous twists on
it, often fusing wood or bone with a piece. Jade is Alaska’s State
Gem; much of it is mined here, but carved overseas due to its labor-intensive
nature (it’s harder than steel). |
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Scrimshaw: This 18th-century
art form consists of a scene or portrait etched on a whale tooth or piece
of whalebone. Scrimshaw can also be found on baleen, a shiny black fiber
found in certain whales in place of teeth. Only Alaska Natives are allowed
to use it for scrimshaw, and a piece of baleen without a signature from
a Native Alaskan is illegal to own by a non-native. Be wary of baleen being
sold on Anchorage streets. |
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Baskets: Today’s
artists practice the same techniques that Native Alaskans have used for
thousands of years. Birch baskets are attractive and relatively inexpensive,
while hard-to-make grass and baleen baskets are more valued due to the difficulty
of creating them. Grass baskets, when made by skilled Native Alaskan hands,
can be waterproof and are often dyed with natural products such as plant
extracts or berries. Baleen baskets are a dying art form because fewer whales
are harvested each year and fewer Native children are learning the craft.
(Baleen is so tough it often has to actually be weaved while submersed in
water.) Look for symmetry of design, tightness of the weave, and how well
the top fits. |
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Other forms of Alaskan
art include photography, pottery, glasswork, jewelry, and woodworking, each
having their own distinctive Alaskan flavor. Some tips:
• Ask questions. Sometimes the art’s or artist’s history
can make an ordinary piece come alive.
• If you like a particular piece, but aren’t ready to buy it
right then, have the gallery write the artist’s name, title of the
piece, and price on a business card.
• Lugging a big piece home is no fun. Have the gallery ship it to
your home, office, or even a friend or relative’s office.
• If the artwork has animal parts in it (fur, ivory, bone, feathers,
etc.), make sure you can import it to your home country (call Alaska Fish
and Game Department at 267-2100). If you’re driving back to the U.S.
through Canada, ship it.
• Above all else, buy a piece because you enjoy it and because of
its lasting beauty.
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"Don't miss a cruise into
Prince William Sound. People are out there with their mouths
open. They've never seen anything like it-I don't care where
they've gone." |
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Brad
Philips,
Tourism pioneer, Former State Legislator, founder of
Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise |
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