Lawrence “Larry” Ulaaq Ahvakana is one of Alaska’s most celebrated artists. For the last six decades he has created using a wide range of media including wood, stone, bronze, glass, and paint. From 1966-1969, Larry attended the Institute of American Indian Art (IAIA) in Santa Fe, earning a BA in sculpture. From 1970-1972, Larry attended the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), obtaining a BFA in art. While at IAIA, Larry studied under Apache sculptor Allan Houser (1914-1994), whose influence is especially evident in the faces of Larry’s stone and bronze figures. Larry was also among the first Indigenous artists to experiment with glass in his artwork.

Anatkut at Winter Ceremonial Calling Seal Helping Spirit by Larry Ahvakana captures the moment when the Shaman beckons his Seal Helping Spirit Fetish from the Kutuk, or hole in the floor, which happens in a dance performed during the winter ceremonial Messenger Feast.” [1] This sculpture is an absolute masterclass in techniques and materials, bringing together a wide range of media and wood types to present this vignette of an Inupiaq medicine man performing a healing ceremony. The human figure is depicted as gaunt and emaciated with a protruding backbone, but the expression on his face is one of serenity. The seal spirit, a miniature of the spirit masks that Larry often creates, is similarly depicted as being at peace and is sharing this calm moment of ceremony with the medicine man. All of the many elements combining to create this harmonious composition are a testament to Larry Ahvakana’s skills, craftsmanship, and grounding in his Inupiaq culture.

1. Stonington Gallery, Seattle. Anatkut at Winter Ceremonial Calling Seal Helping Spirit,

Christopher W. Smith