Artist Statement

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Alaskan Native Artist Philllip John Charette with large 6 ft. X 5 ft. Amikuk mask at the Portland Art Museum

Informal Introductory Statement

Why are you an artist? A question I am often asked and often ask myself. To be honest, it's a tough question to grapple with especially when trying to pay the bills! Aside from the formal verbiage listed below, I struggle forward with my work to understand and define who I am - not only as an Alaskan Native Artist - but, as a human being. I attempt to accomplish this by making a statement with one out of every twenty pieces I do. The rest of the work is about connecting with you; a larger audience! This is why my work involves stories and educational lectures which I am always happy to share. Your response to looking beyond the physical work are what help to drive me forward. For those of you who have laughed, cried, hugged, and shared your stories with me, I am eternally grateful. Moments that I see healing, understanding, and emotional connection happen in your life help to heal and bring wholeness to mine. I am honored by those of you who have taken the time to know me and my work. For those of you who truly collect my work, I thank you for looking beyond the physical and for making connections within and beyond yourselves.

Phillip John Charette, "Aarnaquq"

Alaskan Native Artist Statement

I am an Alaska Native Yup'ik artist specializing in sculpture, Yup'ik spirit masks, and Native musical instruments. While involved in art throughout my life, I began work as a full-time artist in 2001. Through a hands-on investigative and exploratory approach, my art expresses elements of traditional Yup'ik spirituality, cosmology, and power. My art is rooted in historic and traditional Yup’ik “ways of being” learned throughout my life. But, I utilize my own contemporary style, form, and perspectives in creating artwork. Spirits, Yup'ik cosmology, and spiritual beings are my primary subject matter.

As a mixed media artist I work with numerous materials which include clay, wood, driftwood, glass, metal, stone, glass beads, rawhide, porcelain, feathers, quills, shells, bones, paint, and found objects. A rare Yup’ik art form, pottery is a foundation for my work. Clay sculptures are low fired or raku fired in home made kilns. All teeth, bones, and spirits are hand made of high-fired porcelain. A flame worker, I make my own glass beads. Driftwood masks and sculptures are hand carved in a contemporary style. Traditional wood bending techniques are used in making spirit mask frames and Yup'ik drums. Native American style flutes are concert quality and made of hardwoods and low fired clays (including smoke fired, horse hair fired, and raku) .

My artistic goals are achieved though constant exploration and discovery of new methodologies, utilizing new materials, and in exploring new art forms. Future artistic goals include monumental work, working directly with bronze, large fused glass, metal sculpture, prints, and precious metal work. Finally, I hope to push the boundaries of traditional art bringing attention to new possibilities in the mixed media art world. And, I hope to expose and educate people about the spiritual world of Yup’ik art.