Windmaker Mask, traditional Yupik. The original wind-maker masks were called "Tomanik" collected by A.H. Twitchell between 1906-1916 from around Napaskiak, Alaska.

"Tomanik" means "from over there," which was referring to the spiritual world and they were used in traditional Yupik dance rituals. The white represents winter and the blue represents summer and the tubes are representing the winds within those seasons. The bottom appendage represents clouds or a whale's tale and the water that comes down from them. The eyes were a spiritual conduit in between the physical world and spiritual world, which were believed to show the spiritual world our respect and reverence to the spirits for good luck and a good season to come.

Materials: basswood, spruce, turkey feathers, artificial sinew, Pigments (red ocher, blue vivianite, white kaolin clay, fireplace soot)

Yup'ik artist Mike McIntyre from Bethel.