Leonard Savage, Lexington, KY

sculpture

These unique carvings by Leonard Savage celebrate the indomitable spirit of the native peoples of Alaska, and bring to life the animals and culture of these far northern lands.

Leonard was born in the small fishing village of Holy Cross, located in a small alcove on the Yukon River in southwestern Alaska. He lived here until the age of 12 when his family moved to Anchorage and Leonard ran head first into a culture that did not accept him. Looking for a traditional medium in which to express his culture and traditions, Leonard began carving bone, antler and stone – finally choosing walrus ivory as his medium. Only Native Americans can legally possess and carve ivory.

This work is the culmination of many decades of carving experience – each piece an embodiment of both the artists own personal history as a child growing up on the banks of the Yukon River and the influences of his Athabascan forebears.

Leonard’s meticulous attention to detail and realism is balanced by his unsurpassed ability to breathe life into the medium, thereby creating works of art which blend traditional subjects with contemporary styling.

Leonard's work can be found at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, Berea, KY.