IDENTITY: EXPRESSIONS

Few Alaskan artists work with gut today, but the material may be on the cusp of a revitalization. Gut has seen pockets of resilience in doll making, model watercraft, and basketry practices. Innovative new forms such as dyed “stained glass” windows and jewelry are more recent expressions.

Gut is a distinctly Indigenous medium. Marine mammal gut is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, but exemptions allow Alaska Native people to carry on customary gut practices.

Tall Basket with Diamond Designs
Katie Avigeak (Yup’ik) of Kwigillingok, C. 1970s.
Beach grass and dyed seal intestine
ASM II-A-5516

Tall Basket with Abstract Floral Design
Mary Black (Yup’ik) of Kongignak, 1971.
Beach grass and dyed seal intestine
ASM II-A-5515

Tall Basket with Vertical Design
Yup’ik, C. 1970s.
Beach grass and dyed seal intestine
ASM II-A-6088

Basket with Triangle Designs
Agnes Smith (Yup’ik) of Kipnuk, 1975.
Beach grass and dyed seal intestine
ASM II-A-5524

Basket with Dyed Bands
Yup’ik, C. 1970’s.
Beach grass and dyed seal intestine
ASM II-A-6069

Sea Lion Heart Bag
Coral Chernoff (Alutiiq, Northern Cheyenne, Assiniboine) of Kodiak, C. 2020.
Sea lion heart sac, salmon skin, brain-tanned deer hide, sinew.
Loan and photo courtesy of the artist. LC.512.

Moose Bladder Bag
Selina Alexander (Koyukon Athabascan) of Huslia, circa 2004.
Moose bladder, moose and caribou skin, dentalium shells, leather, glass beads, feathers from ptarmigan, willow, and spruce grouse, thread.
Loan courtesy the Alaska Native Heritage Center. LC.508

Gut Sewing Basket
Elaine Kingeekuk (St. Lawrence Island Yupik) of Savoonga, 2012.
Intestine, polar bear fur, embroidery floss, thread.
Private collection

Sedna Figure
Earl Atchak & Lisa Unwin (Cup’ik) of Chevak, 2021.
Driftwood, walrus ivory, sealskin, seal intestine, beach grass, paint.
In circumpolar stories, Sedna, the Sea Woman holds powers over marine mammals and helps decide if animals give themselves to hunters. During her traumatic human life, Sedna’s fingers were cut off and became the sea mammals.
Private collection

Iqyax̂ (kayak) Model with Sea Otter Hunters
Sergie Sovoroff (Unangax̂) of Nikolski, 1976.
Intestine, wood, fur, lead, string, wire, paint, thread.
ASM II-F-284

Iqyax̂ (kayak) Model with Priest
Sergie Sovoroff (Unangax̂) of Nikolski, 1982.
Intestine, wood, fur, lead, embroidery floss, thread, paper, paint, ink.
ASM II-F-309

Doll with Dance Fans
Ursula Paniyak (Cup’ik) of Chevak, late 20th C.
Intestine, sealskin, cloth, fur, leather, glass beads, thread.
Loan courtesy Alice Rogoff, LC.509-1

Doll with Fur Tassels
Attributed to Josephine Ungott (St. Lawrence Island Yupik) of Gambell, mid-20th C.
Winter-processed intestine, cotton, sealskin, fur, yarn, glass and plastic beads, sequins, thread.
ASM II-A-6117

Doll with Feather Adornments
Attributed to Josephine Ungott (St. Lawrence Island Yupik) of Gambell, mid-20th C.
Winter-processed intestine, fur, sealskin, feathers, glass beads, yarn, thread.
ASM II-A-6118

Doll with White Parka
St. Lawrence Island Yupik from Savoonga, mid-20th C.
Winter processed intestine, sealskin, fur, ivory, ink, thread.
Gift of Ethel Montgomery. ASM II-A-7385

Angel Christmas Ornament
Darlene Ulak (Yup’ik) of Scammon Bay, 2022.
Seal intestine, wire, feather, commercial marker, glass bead.
Private collection.

Earrings
Nina D. Thomas (Inupiaq) of Kotzebue, 2022.
Seal intestine, glass and metal beads, steel, wire.
Private collection.

Rings
Mary Kaganak (Yup’ik) of Scammon Bay, 2022.
Seal intestine, seal fur, thread.
Private collection.

Model Boots
Unangax̂, mid-20th C.
Marine mammal intestine, bird skin, feathers, wool yarn, thread.
Gift of Jess Applegate. Collected by Samuel & Martha Applegate. ASM II-F-172

Small Basket
Mary Kaganak (Yup’ik) of ScammonBay, 2022.
Beach grass and dyed seal intestine.
Photo courtesy of the artist. Private collection.

Gut Window
Lalla Williams (Alutiiq/Sugpiaq) of Kodiak, late 20th C.
Intestine, commercial marker, cotton cloth, thread.
Loan courtesy Alice Rogoff. LC.509-2