Dobson & Dault

The Power Of Angalkut

This sculpture consists of 16 powder coated aluminum animals and figures for the exterior and interior walls of the Chefornak School in Alaska. It tells the story of the Shaman calling the animals to come from the spirit world to be food for the people. The Shamans are the school mascot.

Award Category
1% For Public Art Award
Commission Year
2013
Client
Chefornak School

Located above the roof which covers the ramp of the East Elevation, the viewer can see migratory birds, land animals and sea mammals traveling toward the school name. This is a representation of the animals returning from the spirit world as the Shaman calls them.  The order of the animals are from left to right King Eider; Emperor goose; Brant goose; mink; otter;  red fox; seal; walrus and killer whale.  The animals are made from powder coated aluminum ¼ inch thick, secured with stainless steel screws through the insulated wall panel.

Beneath the ramp roof on the east elevation the viewer will see powder coated shapes of fish.  From left to right a small school of herring will be swimming just in front of a salmon.  Just behind them to the right will be a halibut.  On the north end of the East wall will be the Shaman’s Mask mounted flat to the wall on a gray colored disc of aluminum.  The appendages shown will be a drum; seal token; hand; fish token; goose token; sea mammal token; hand; land animal token.  The Shaman’s mask has layered powder coated images  and is attached securely to the wall.

Inside the school above the display case wall, a powder coated Shaman and drummer rendered in black, white and gray is shown.  The Shaman is in the style of the school logo and the drummer is in a similar style.  The dance fans are realistically rendered showing the snowy owl feathers in white and black.  The seated drummer is beating the drum with an incised image of a transforming walrus/emperor goose.  The drummer is smaller and placed to appear further behind the Shaman who will dominate the wall.