ARTIST PROFILE
Preserving Culture Through Art
David John Angaiak is a visual artist whose work expresses his Yup’ik Eskimo and Unungan Aleut heritage. He often depicts nature from personal experiences centered around bird and sea life encountered along the coasts of Bristol Bay, Alaska. The desire to explore traditional art expressions allow him to understand his ancestral origins in a deeper way. His artistry provides a glimpse of the past with a modern voice.
Combining traditional and contemporary disciplines, he uses mixed media and often incorporates natural materials. Rare earth pigments gathered from riverbanks and shorelines are utilized to add color. Feathers and fur, harvested throughout the year, are common components within his three dimensional artwork. Today, these elements continue to represent the rich heritage of the people throughout the Bering Sea.
