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

Abstract

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.