Lena Atti (1926-2020) was an Alaskan artist from Kwigillingok. She was an expert in the traditional craft of grass weaving to make garments and other objects.[3] Her Yup'ik name was Kayuungiar. She was born in Kipnuk, Alaska and at the age of 14 began studying grass weaving under the tutelage of her mother.[4] In turn she taught her daughter, Gladys Atti,[4] and the community how to weave.[5]
Lena Atti | |
|---|---|
Kayuungiar | |
| Born | 1926[1] |
| Died | April 27, 2020[2] |
| Known for | Traditional grass weaving |
Grass weaving is mostly associated with basket weaving, but "in Atti's region, grass once was used for all manner of handy everyday items, including bags, backpacks, storage mats and sleeping pallets. Grass socks were worn mainly by men, the bulk of whose work was done in the snow." To make a pair of grass socks would take Atti five to six hours of work a day for about a week.[4]
Her work is included in the National Museum of the American Indian[1] and the Anchorage Museum.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Atti, Lena. "Basket with cover". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- ^ "Department of Public Safety". Archived from the original on 2020-07-09. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
- ^ a b "The Culmination of a Dream". Rasmuson Foundation. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- ^ a b c Gerjevic, Sandi (February 23, 2004). "Western Alaska woman among last to make grass footwear - Lena Atti is master weaver, featured artist on ExxonMobil Master Artist Series program". NewsBank. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ Staff (February 6, 2004). "Community Datebook". NewsBank. Retrieved April 11, 2018.