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.
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.
| 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. Lawarence Island in the
1980's.
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. Lawarence Island in the
1980's.
| Ed Sotelo, Alaskan Carver |
An elder introduced him 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 one of the styles shown by contacting Ed for
pricing and other information at the mailing address, phone number, or e-mail
address below.
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 one of the styles shown by contacting Ed for
pricing and other information at the mailing address, phone number, or e-mail
address below.
| Ed Sotelo P.O. Box 15145 Fritz Creek, AK 99603 Phone: 907-235-6406 edsotelo@bluewalruscarvings.com |
| URL: http://www.bluewalruscarvings.com Last update: July 8, 2006 copyright 2006 by Ed Sotelo Blue Walrus Carvings |
| site created by Merry Web Design Homer, Alaska |
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| BLUE WALRUS CARVINGS |
| bluewalruscarvings.com |