Lewis Iyakitan Jr.

Lewis Iyakitan Jr. is a Siberian Yupik from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. Born on September 7, 1960, in Gambell, Alaska, he is the adopted son of the late Lewis Iyakitan Sr. and Vivian Silook Iyakitan. Lewis was introduced to whalebone carving by his father and there is a significant similarity in the carving style of Lewis Sr. and Lewis Jr.’s work.

Lewis is known primarily for his carvings of fossil whalebone. He travels to the far reaches of St. Lawrence Island to acquire the fossilized whalebone he needs. Lewis is also an accomplished walrus ivory carver depicting owls and seabirds, subject matter inspired by his subsistence lifestyle. He relies on subsistence hunting to supplement his family’s diet.  He hunts the birds of the region as well as seals, walrus and whales.