Jerome Saclamana

Jerome Saclamana, Inupiaq, was born in 1963 on King Island, Alaska.  Following in the tradition of King Island carvers, he began carving fossilized whalebone and ivory at a young age under the guidance of his father Mike Saclamana and his grandfather John Kokuluk Sr. Jerome also had the good fortunate to take art and culture classes at Nome Beltz High School with renowned carver Harry Koozaata.

A particularly skilled and innovative artist, Jerome is noted for a fresh modern carving style and interpretation of Inupiaq traditional subjects and use of traditional materials to create one-of-a-kind pieces. Jerome specializes in objects and figures that reflect the connectivity of all things and represent the deep spiritual traditions of the King Island Inupiat.  His shaman masks and transformation pieces explore the links between human and animal lives and forms.  The results are stunningly beautiful contemporary works of art founded in a rich cultural heritage.