Drummer
by Fred Nayokpuk, Inupiaq
whalebone, walrus ivory, baleen
10” high x 3” wide x 1.75” deep
Fred Nayokpuk was born in the village of Shishmaref, Alaska, on the 21st of December, 1962. He is a member of the Inupiaq Eskimo group. Fred is single, comes from a large family with 12 siblings. He is the nephew of Herbert Nayokpuk, a famous Alaskan dog musher.
Fred Nayokpuk’s father, Lawrence, was a carver and his teacher. His first carvings were made in 1985, and his whalebone carvings are recognized in the United States as well as Europe. He captures the traditional life of his elders in his work.
