Meet one of our artists in residence, @yupikjen — Jen Angaiak Wood!
Jen is a Yup’ik, Irish, and Italian artist whose work is inspired by ancestral carvings from her Yukon delta roots. She says, “My artwork is rooted in historic design, but I incorporate modern materials to show that Yup’ik people are part of contemporary life.” During her residency, Jen helped integrate Indigenous teachings into the building process for the rematriation pavilion, working alongside Sawhorse Revolution youth to honor land, culture, and community.
This fall, Jen will be hosting a workshop at Indigenous Creatives Collective: Wood Carving from an Indigenous Perspective. In this workshop, we will be learning about the carving process, including processing wood rounds, creating designs, selecting tools, and working with wood. We will also touch on the wide range Indigenous carving traditions and communities.
Q: What are your aspirations for this residency?
I view Indigenous arts practices as a path to building a sense of self while also reinforcing connections to ancestry and community. I hope participants can learn new skills while also gaining knowledge about who they are and the communities to which they belong. I also find it empowering to understand process from start to finish, such as taking a round of wood and breaking it down to workable size and then creating something from it. I hope they leave with something they can hold onto that helps them feel connected to their ancestors and the community around them.
Q: Can you share more about your artistic process and how that will be displayed during your residency?
My artwork is rooted in historic design and practice. The more I learn about the art forms created by my ancestors, the more I understand myself and the ways in which I want to interact with the world. I primarily work with wood, which I see as a living material, and I have to be open to the intentions of the wood as I bring forth my design. During this residency, I hope to share carving as one way to explore identity, culture, and giving back to community. Working with the student in the Sawhorse Revolution program and later with community members during the workshop is a small way to pass on some of the knowledge I have accumulated over time, and I will figure out what artwork I will create for the pavilion once it's completed.
Q: What other projects you are currently involved in?
Like most Natives, I wear many hats in my professional life. Currently, I serve as a professor at South Seattle College, where I teach American Indian Studies courses. Additionally, I consult with colleges, universities, and schools on Native Education topics as new initiatives arise.
I have also recently joined an artist residency with Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services, where I will be leading three workshops—drum making, traditional plant medicine crafting, and collage making—and creating two art pieces: a Coast Salish wool weaving project and a mural in honor of Indigenous Milk Medicine Week. I aim to support and uplift Indigenous families through this work while fostering cultural connection and healing.
Jen is a member of our Indigenous Creatives roster, and if you'd like to be considered for projects and residencies, apply now at yehawshow.com/apply!
Learn more at yupikjen.com.