Fossilized Whalebone Fisherman This fisherman is hand carved by native artist Tony Weyiouanna of Shishmaref, Alaska. Shishmaref is approximately 110 miles north of Nome, Alaska and lies on a spit of land along the Bering Sea.Tony began carving ivory at the age of fifteen.His mentors were his father, Stephen, and several other elders in his village.Tony began by making small objects such as reindeer horn dolls, ivory earrings, and ivory animals.He studied art for a couple of years at the University of Fairbanks, attending under a scholarship.He started carving whalebone at the age of 21.Tony’s favorite carvings are spirit masks, as he enjoys creating the spirit of the mask.
