Large Inuit Loon Mask By Johnny M Smith

ca. June 28, 1989 

32" H x 34" W x 17" Deep

A Very Large Mask with Central Loon Catching a Fish with a Wolf Image on the Back of the Loon Signed By Johnny M Smith Mekoryuk Alaska June 28, 1989 

In Very Good Condition

Johnny M. Smith was an artist from Mekoryuk, Alaska (on Nunivak Island), known for creating traditional dance masks, spirit masks, and scrimshaw pieces, often featuring animal motifs central to Yup'ik cultural storytelling, shamanism, and ceremonial dances.

Inuit spirit masks represent the interconnectedness of the natural and spiritual worlds, used by shamans in rituals to communicate with spirits, heal the sick, and ensure good hunting, often featuring symbolic animal forms or transformed human/animal features. These masks are typically carved from wood or ivory and decorated with hair, feathers, and paint, with the Yup'ik culture in particular known for their complex and dynamic mask traditions.