Esslam Yua by Susie Silook, Yupik/Inupiaq

Esllam Yua, person of the universe, is a creator of life, closely tied to energy and the forces of nature. Silook drew much of the aesthetic inspiration for this sculpture from Old Bering Sea style ivory figures and artifacts.

The figures swollen abdomen indicates fertility, creation and birth. Full, flaccid breasts contain the wisdom and experience of a powerful, mature woman. The form emerging from the figures hand, emanating into a spiral, represents new beings coming forth and moving along the path of life. Human and animal shapes in the style of Old Bering Sea style figures abound on the spiral form.

The mask she holds off to one side is inspired by ancient Ipiutak sets of ivory carvings excavated at Point Hope, Alaska. The mask is inscribed with curvilinear shapes commonly found on Old Bering Sea style figures, masks and artifacts. The Ipiutak masks were found on human remains -- thus, we see a complete cycle of birth through death represented on one figure.

Forces of nature are in evidence, inscribed on the abdomen: sun, moon, stars (appearing as dots) and water (parallel curved lines). Lightning, a symbol of extreme bursts of energy, is represented by parallel jagged lines; concentric circles represent the intersection of our world with the spirit world. Other inscribed symbols include a male and a female figure on the front of the feet.

Tusk is 18" long

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