Sven Haakanson

Made out of red cedar, collected off the beach; copper pipe hoop; oil paints. 

The guy told to many tales and this one finally caught him full in the face.

I made this mask to share how many fishermen like to tell their version of a real big fish story. Most of us know one or two people whose fish gets bigger and bigger with time. The pun is for the wives who listen to their husbands tell fish tales, and with time the fish gets bigger and bigger...while the wives listen, laugh inside, and let their husbands tails grow.  
A tale of a tail.

From all the knowledge I have gained from studying Alutiiq Masks around the world I try to bring this knowledge back and put this into a living context so that we don’t forget our traditions. Masks told stories of ones life experiences. As with this Whale of tale mask it tells of people we all know who love to tell tales, large, small, real or made up. Everyone has a tale to tell. It is fun to listen to those who embellish their words, especially when you know the truth.

Each mask that I have carved I try to follow our traditional forms and also as a way to express respect for my heritage and give back to the community.

I enjoy carving for fun and love to teach students to express their ideas via wood and other means. I use art as a way to relax and poke fun at our lives when things get to serious.
I have been carving for the past 15 years on my own. Nothing serious.  

Sven joined the Alutiiq Museum staff as Executive Director in September of 2000 after completing his Ph.D. in Anthropology at Harvard University. He is the museum's lead spokesperson and fund raiser. He works with the Alutiiq Heritage Foundation board to enhance charitable giving, increase collaboration with Kodiak's Alutiiq villages, manage the museum staff, and represent the museum at public functions and professional meetings.