Four enormous white eyes scan in two directions on this mask. When outfitted for an appearance, porcupine quills form a crown, and a long fiber costume offers concealment. Alert pupils project out to remind viewers that Alunga's ancient spirit is endowed with superhuman vision and wanders freely to speak up about his concerns. Adopting a raucous voice, the spirit sings in a disguised manner that sends shivers through the audience.
Wood, pigment
16 15/16 in. (43 cm)
Diam.: 13 1/16 in.
Gift of Katherine White and the Boeing Company
81.17.791
Provenance: [Tribal Arts, London, England]; purchased from gallery by Katherine White (1929-1980), Seattle, Washington, 1978; bequeathed to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 1981
Now on view at the
Seattle Art Museum
Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.
