Weeping Grizzly Bear

• Main Author: Merrill, Gene
• Other Authors: Given to the University of Washington Libraries by Norman Jenisch Rose and Louise R. Rose
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Prince of Wales Island; tlingit; Alaska
• Online Access: http://cdm16786.contentdm.oclc.org:80/cdm/ref/collection/p16786coll14/id/34

Gene Merrill was born in Hot Springs, South Dakota in 1945. He now lives in Klawock, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. He exhibits in Alaska and has pieces in private collections in the U.S. and in several other countries. In an email to Norman Rose, Mr. Merrill says: "Living in the land of the Native Tlingit and Haidas inspired me to start carving wooden masks. Being self taught and not having a heritage to guide me, I've had to study and learn from the different cultures.Most of my masks are carved from local alder or red and yellow cedar.I also use abalone shell, beads, horse and human hair and paint.Like some of the other carvers, I've made my crooked knives and adz's." "The Weeping Grizzly was my version and interpretation of the decline of the grizzly bears in the lower states. The last stronghold is in the wilds of Alaska. The tears are being shed for all the past bears and lost habitat. The cub in the mouth is being protected for the future of the species. The mask is made of local alder that I cut and dried." This is one of two pieces by Mr. Merrill in the UWB Library. The other is called "Alaskan Wind Man."