- Digital image by Dick Brown.
- Alaskan Native Artist, Phillip John
Charette next to a clay healing mask which was donated to the Columbia River
Intertribal Fish Commission as a fundraiser piece for the salmon restoration fund.
- ALASKAN NATIVE
- YUP'IK VALUES
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- Qigcikluku nunamta atullerkaa
- Have respect for our land and its
resources
- Ikayurtarluten yullgutevnun
- Be helpful to one another
- Iuvqakiaqluten-llu yuullgutevnek
piyugaaqavet
- Share possessions and knowledge
with honor
- Qigcikluki-llu yuullgutvet
cautait
- Respect other peoples' property
- Agayumaciq-llu Qigcikluku
- Respect Spirituality
- Pissuryaraq ayanillerkaq-llu
yuilqumi elitnaurutkaqluku
- Teach and learn outdoor survival
and hunting skills
- Ilaten-llu angussaagucimaluki
kesianek caiturcetevkenaki
- Provide for and take good care of
your family
- Irniaten-llu kenkellerpeggun
qigcikluki
- Through love, respect your children
- Qigcikluki-llu ciulirneret
qanruyutait
- Respect your elders' wisdon and
Knowledge
- Caurailngarpeknaci
pingnatugturluci
- Always trying, never without
- Elitnaurluki, tegumiaqluki
umyuaqegcitekluki-llu Yupiit piciryarait
- The Yup'ik way of life is to be
taught with pride
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- By the Elders Delegation of
1983
- Bristol Bay Native Convention.
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- ALASKAN NATIVE
- YUP'IK ARTIST
- Phillip John
Charette
- "Aarnaquq"
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- Through my artwork, I make this statement,
- "Aarnaquq Cegg'artuq!"
Cama-I
(Hello!). My name is Phillip John Charette. My Alaskan Native Yup'ik Name is Aarnaquq which means "the one who is dangerous...". I am of Yup'ik
and French Canadian descent. My father,
Gilles, was from Valleyfield, Canada. My mother Tasianna "Nurauq" Charette is Yup’ik from Kwigillingok, Alaska. I am the
grandson of John "Cunar" and Jane "Nausgauq" of the
Kipnuk Area. (Grandma was born in Umguumiut and apa was born in a village
no longer in existence near Kipnuk) My maternal great grandmother is "Panigacungaq" and my maternal great grandfather is "Assgulria". My paternal great grandmother is "Aarnaquq" and my paternal great grandfather
is "Naulalria".
My great great grandfather is "Aarnaquq".
I hold degrees from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Harvard University in Education, Native Studies, and Administration (A.P.S.P.). In spite of my
academic training, I have always been involved in the arts and held a life long
desire to express myself through art. In 2001, I left administration, took a deep breath,
and began work as a full-time artist. I specialize in prints, mixed media sculpture,
Yup’ik masks, Yup'ik drums, Yup'ik art, and large Native American flutes. I also do
live flute performances for special events.
Currently, work on masks reflects old
traditional Yup’ik cosmology with my own contemporary interpretations and some added
twists. Traditional Yup’ik dance masks were made with wood and stained with clay. My
first series of masks are mixed media, primarily made out of clay, and have a wood and
organic look. Designs are based on older traditional masks and have many of the same
elements as older traditional pieces. As I've re-introduce traditional themes, my
work addresses more contemporary themes and issues. The style of my work is
inspired by elements found in traditional ceremonial objects I've researched in
museums. Contemporary materials are incorporated for impact which help to convey
ideas I wish to express. In spite of the fact that I use contemporary materials,
carving - a Yup'ik tradition - is incorporated in my artistic process.
My work reflects who my namesake Aarnaquq is, acknowledges Aarnaquq, and allows the
artist to follow in the footsteps of his namesake. It is an honor for me to
carry on a new tradition of Yup'ik spiritual works. Utilizing contemporary
ideas, materials, and stories, new traditions evolve and reach out to
those listening and in need.
Quyana, ...Ellam
Yua!
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Harvard Alumni
