Arctic Alaska / Simon Paneak
Inuit / Iñupiat

Calibou hide, hair
ca. 1960s
Height: 12 in, Width: 11 in
Other – Regalia – Mask

Signed by Mary Ahtuangaruak

A caribou hide mask made by the North Alaskan Inuit group, the Iñupiat and signed by Mary Ahtuangaruak (on the back of the hide).   This mask is an example of the intersection of traditional and modern Iñupiat culture.  It was made as “tourist art” but is firmly rooted in the traditional Iñupiat culture, revealing historic and pre-historic traditions in the way it is made, in the materials used to make it, in the expressive face it portrays, and in the symbolic meaning it conveys. At the same time, it represents the adaptation to changes that the Iñupiat have experienced over the last 100 years.

According to the Arctic Museum, ‘Masks made from caribou hide in the inland Iñupiat community of Anaktuvuk Pass, were inspired by Halloween masks, and were made to wear in a winter festival dance, as a humorous disguise.  Nevertheless, it did not catch on until the late 1950s, when they were sold to visiting scientist.  This led to the development of mask making as a craft for sale to tourists.  Despite the non-traditional origins of this craft, it is noted that mask makers draw on Iñupiat traditions for their inspiration.’

Reference: https://www.bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum/exhibits/1999/facing-the-future.html