Dwayne Northrup: Rawhide Sculpture

Born in 1961, Dwayne lived with his parents, grandmother, and great-grandmother on the family homestead between Kalaloch and the Quinault Indian Reservation. His great-grandfather, George Northrup, was active in Indian politics and held an Honorary Chief status amoung the Queet Indians.

Dwayne moved to the Makah Reservation with his family in 1972, where he first experienced cultural arts. His father is Irish/English/Cherokee and his mother is Astec-Mexican Indian. He learned the old language, beadwork, and basket weaving from renowned Makah elders Helen Peterson and Nora Barker.

In 1995 Dwayne moved his family to Sequim, Washington, and began working in a variety of mediums in search of his own artisitc identity. Influenced by Northwest Coast and Makah art, but not tribally affiliated, Dwayn did not want to capitalize on the popularity of traditional Northwest Coast art forms. He asked The Great Spirit for something he could call his own, while still paying respect to the cultures that had influenced him. The result of that prayer was a series of drawings, showing him how to create a three dimensional monument, hand sculpted out of rawhide. His first pieces were heralded by gallery owners and collectors as some of the most innovative art forms seen in years.

Dwayne's scupltures require hundreds of hours of research and background on tribal customs, costumes, and regala. He collaborates with Makah carver Micah Vogel on his sculptures. He has learned cedar rope making and weaving techniques from Makah Vicki Pilate and cedar bark hat making from Jamestown S'Klallam weaver and storyteller Elain Gennel.

His Macah Whaler was purchased by and is on permanent display in the Makah Museum and Research Center, Neah Bay, Washington.

$3995.00