In quest of authentic Yup'ik art: concepts of tradition

• Main Author: Simon, Katrin A.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: Fairbanks; Yup'ik; Alaska
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11122/5569

Thesis (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2007 My interest is in the various perceptions - including my own - that people have of the concepts 'traditional' and 'authentic' as it applies to contemporary Alaska Native art and artists. With my research, I aim to examine Yup'ik art from different perspectives and to investigate the different cultural standards and definitions that exist about what constitutes 'authentic' Yup'ik art and artists. Consumers, collectors, the government, and Yup'ik artists from diverse cultural backgrounds all have different concepts of what authentic, traditional Yup'ik art constitutes. I believe it is important to investigate Native art, as much as possible, without reservations and prejudgements as to their concepts of art and to listen closely to the artists' voice, especially when it contradicts our own perceptions. 1. Introduction : authenticity and tradition in cross-cultural perspective -- 2. Fieldwork and methods -- 3. The Western perspective on Yup'ik art -- 3.1. Early investigation of Yup'ik art -- 3.2. The missionaries view of Yup'ik art -- 3.3. Yup'ik art for sale and consumers' expectations -- 3.4. "Authentic" Yup'ik art from the government's perspective -- 4. The Yup'ik artist's concepts of "authenticity" -- 4.1. The concept of art in past Yup'ik society -- 4.2. Effects of outsiders' expectations on Yup'ik artists -- 4.3. The cultural revival of Yup'ik art -- 4.4. Melding traditions -- 4.4.1. Yup'ik artists in the village -- 4.4.2. Yup'ik artists in the city -- 5. Conclusion : continuation of the Yup'ik way through Yup'ik art -- References.