Worm Woman Mask

• Main Author: Sheakley, Lawrance
• Other Authors: Given to the University of Washington Libraries by Norman Jenisch Rose and Louise R. Rose
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Lawrance; tlingit; Alaska
• Online Access: http://cdm16786.contentdm.oclc.org:80/cdm/ref/collection/p16786coll14/id/38

Lawrance Sheakley is a Tlingit, born in Huna, Alaska. This piece was acquired by the Roses primarily because of the story behind it. As told by the artist, the Worm Woman mask was inspired by an experience he had as a young boy living in his grandmother's home. He was misbehaving and making a mess and his grandmother told him the story of Worm Woman. She told that one day in winter a woman went for a walk in the woods to think. She heard a sound and looking around, discovered a worm, almost frozen from the cold. She took the worm home and cared for it, bringing it back to life and health. The worm did not thank her for her care, but instead ate everything she prepared and grew larger every day. Over time she became exhausted with caring for the worm, and it grew ever larger. One day she fell asleep and slept for a long time. Too long for the worm, who became hungry and ate her. Mr. Sheakley's grandmother told him this story to illustrate how his behavior was affecting her. As he said in his own account, "Many of the stories have a moral value to them, they are not just stories."