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Q&A with David John Angaiak of Angaiak Fine Art
Calista Shareholder David John Angaiak is a talented artist who is dedicated to passing on Yup’ik mask making to the next generation.
Angaiak started his professional art career in 2018 and strives to represent his Yup’ik and Aleut heritage. He is grateful for his family who continually encouraged his pursuit of art.
He listed his business Angaiak Fine Art in our Calivika Shareholder Directory last summer, and he has his own website where you can learn more at www.angaiakfineart.com.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND WHY YOU STARTED ANGAIAK FINE ART.
I often depict nature from personal experiences centered around bird and sea life, encountered along the coasts of Southwest Alaska. My dad is from Tununak on Nelson Island and my mom is from Bristol Bay.
As a boy growing up, I spent most of my time in Fairbanks. When I was about 10 years old, he was in a Native Arts college course and came home one day saying he was going to make a mask. I didn’t know what he was talking about, in my mind I was thinking Halloween. When he explained it to me, I realized there was more to our culture than I had known. That’s really where it all began, recognizing that there’s a part of our history as Yup’ik people that isn’t as common today. Mask making has been a part of my life since then. Today, I teach mask carving workshops to help encourage the next generation to explore and experience the art style of our ancestors.
WHERE CAN OUR READERS GO TO PURCHASE YOUR PRODUCTS/SERVICES?
You can visit my online gallery of art at www.angaiakfineart.com. I’m also on social media through both Instagram: @angaiakfineart, and Facebook: @davidjohnangaiak
HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS GROWN SINCE YOU STARTED?
In 2018 my wife and I were talking about the future and where we wanted to be in the next ten years. I said I wanted to pursue my artwork full time. Since then, my art has been placed in private collections and museums both nationally and internationally; in Germany, Belgium, throughout the U.S., and in Juneau. I have networked with many other amazing artists from our region and throughout the world. I’ve had the opportunity to be an Artist-In-Residence at the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka, and teach mask making workshops with the University of Alaska Anchorage and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Teaching art was a huge jump for me because I don’t want our art style as Yup’ik people to disappear. I want this style of art to continue moving on through teaching others, it is a part of my business as it grows.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS?
To remain courageous in the pursuit of your dreams, always believing it is possible, and to not fear setbacks or mistakes. There are times where it can get hard, whether it’s because sales are not coming in or sometimes there’s moments where you have art block. In those moments, don’t be in despair and remember to believe in yourself. When there’s an opportunity to collaborate with other artists or to work with friends and family, try to pass on the knowledge that you have. Knowledge can come from other people or from experience. Teaching somebody else often will strengthen you in your own awareness of your practice.
WHAT FUTURE PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
I’d like to have traveling courses because the art of carving masks is not as prevalent as I would like to see. It is important for the next generation to experience and practice what was once commonplace throughout our region. I plan to continue developing a more robust curriculum that is easily accessible for others to learn the history, practice and application of mask making. I also want to grow my business to include photography. As an artist and businessperson, many skills are required to successfully market yourself. Photography is another element I plan to explore as a way to diversify my flow of income.
CAN YOU SHARE AN INSTANCE WHERE YOUR BUSINESS HELPED SPREAD OR PRESERVE CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE?
Each time I engage with somebody, I’ve found there is a hunger to learn and understand who we are, and what art means through the eyes of our peoples. I like to share that our people’s art wasn’t like art today necessarily, where we put it on a wall or in a museum or hang it in an office. Our art was part of our daily lives, not just a means of expression. Those are the kinds of things that excite me about being an artist and being a businessperson.
Visit our Calivika Shareholder Directory, where you can view business listings or create your own listing.
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