Fredrick Kingeekuk

Fredrick Kingeekuk was born in December 10, 1966 in Savoonga, Alaska, one of two villages located on St. Lawrence Island. He is the second of three sons born to Floyd Sr. and Amelia Kingeekuk.  Floyd Sr. was considered by many collectors to be the best carver in the state. Fredrick and his siblings French and Floyd Jr. are carrying on the family tradition and all three brothers are excellent carvers and/or scrimshaw artists.

Fredrick is noted for his bone and walrus ivory carvings of seals and whales. Known for his consistently high quality work, he has developed a technique to create superbly detailed scrimshaw vignettes with very complex carvings that sometimes include several figures or animals stacked on top of one another, at times all carved from the same piece of ivory.

Fredrick travels over 80 miles around the island of St. Lawrence to dig up the special bone and fossil ivory used in his elaborate carvings. Kingeekuk’s sons Miller and Daryl are already exhibiting the exceptional skill that runs in the family and the ability to carry on the impressive family name and tradition.

Fredrick still lives in Savoonga and is a subsistence hunter. He huts seals, walrus, ducks, and geese. He also participates with his brother, whaling captain Floyd Jr., in the annual hunt for whales.