Yupik Eskimos on St. Lawrence Island rely on Bowhead Whales, walrus and seal for subsistence and
cultural survival. For more than 1,500 years these Eskimos used their wits, courage and strength to
wrest an existence from the walrus and other creatures living in a sometimes savage Bering Sea.
Christianity exists on the island although some still believe in Shamans. They were once revered and
feared as holy men with supernatural powers. The Shamans' strongest influence was their link to the
whale and walrus hunt. The carved fossilized walrus tooth depicts an image that for hundreds of years
has helped keep the Eskimos of St. Lawrence Island alive with culture and tradition.
cultural survival. For more than 1,500 years these Eskimos used their wits, courage and strength to
wrest an existence from the walrus and other creatures living in a sometimes savage Bering Sea.
Christianity exists on the island although some still believe in Shamans. They were once revered and
feared as holy men with supernatural powers. The Shamans' strongest influence was their link to the
whale and walrus hunt. The carved fossilized walrus tooth depicts an image that for hundreds of years
has helped keep the Eskimos of St. Lawrence Island alive with culture and tradition.
| Fossilized Walrus Ivory |
. . .is the rarest and most beautiful of the ivories available today. Excavated by native Alaskan
Eskimos, fossilized walrus ivory originated from walrus that died approximately 100 - 1,500 years
ago. Originally white in color, the ivory has slowly taken on a myriad of tans, mochas, and brown
colors due to the mineral deposits in which it lay buried over the centuries. Its distinctive character
and rarity make it a truly unique and precious ivory.
| MEET THE ARTIST |
Ed Sotelo began his formal art training in sculpture at
the Tucson Museum of Art in Tucson, Arizona. He later
worked at a foundry where he practiced the lost wax
process in bronze.
He first developed an interest in carving fossilized ivory
during a stay on St. Lawrence Island in the 1980s.
the Tucson Museum of Art in Tucson, Arizona. He later
worked at a foundry where he practiced the lost wax
process in bronze.
He first developed an interest in carving fossilized ivory
during a stay on St. Lawrence Island in the 1980s.
| Ed Sotelo, Alaskan Carver |
An elder introduced Ed to the carving of walrus teeth as well as its influence on the Yupik culture.
Ed remembers being told, "The more energy that goes into a carving, the greater its power." He has
continued carving since then and enjoys depicting with his art, the Siberian Yupik subsistence
lifestyle and their dependence upon the sea for survival.
Each piece is individually hand carved from fossilized walrus ivory. The tooth will usually portray
images of the storytellers talking about the one that got away.
Ed hopes that the owner of each piece receives as much pleasure in owning the individual tooth; as
he did in carving it.
Ed currently resides in Homer, Alaska with his wife, Sheryl, where they own and operate a Bed &
Breakfast; Moose Creek Cabins of Fritz Creek, Alaska.
You may purchase a carving in a style similar to those shown in the gallery, by contacting Ed for
pricing and other information using the phone number, mailing or e-mail address below.
Ed remembers being told, "The more energy that goes into a carving, the greater its power." He has
continued carving since then and enjoys depicting with his art, the Siberian Yupik subsistence
lifestyle and their dependence upon the sea for survival.
Each piece is individually hand carved from fossilized walrus ivory. The tooth will usually portray
images of the storytellers talking about the one that got away.
Ed hopes that the owner of each piece receives as much pleasure in owning the individual tooth; as
he did in carving it.
Ed currently resides in Homer, Alaska with his wife, Sheryl, where they own and operate a Bed &
Breakfast; Moose Creek Cabins of Fritz Creek, Alaska.
You may purchase a carving in a style similar to those shown in the gallery, by contacting Ed for
pricing and other information using the phone number, mailing or e-mail address below.
| Ed Sotelo P.O. Box 15145 Fritz Creek, AK 99603 Phone: 907-235-6406 edsotelo@bluewalruscarvings.com |
| bluewalruscarvings.com |
| Check it out!! Moose Creek Cabins Ed's other site |
| BLUE WALRUS CARVINGS |
| URL: http://www.bluewalruscarvings.com Last update: January 19, 2010 copyright 2006 by Ed Sotelo Blue Walrus Carvings |
| site created by Merry Web Design Homer, Alaska |
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