Artwork copyright Eunice Carney. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Old Style Athabascan Beaded Men's Jacket Yoke, 1988

Eunice Carney
American Dené (Northern Athabascan) (born 1909, died 1993)

Location: Mabton High School, Mabton

About the Artwork

Old Style Athabascan Beaded Men's Jacket Yoke is an intricately beaded textile created by late Athabascan artist Eunice Carney. She made this piece in Anderson, Alaska. As the title suggests, the design is representative of traditional Athabascan beadwork. She stitched the floral motif onto velvet, and adorned the edges with Caribou hide fringe.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Mabton School District.

About the Artist

Eunice Carney (Athabascan, 1909-1993) was born in Rampart House, Yukon Territory, Canada on the border of Alaska at the edge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A Kutchin elder, She was a master of traditional textiles and beadwork. She co-authored the book "A Special Gift: The Kutchin Beadwork Tradition" with art historian Kate Duncan. In 1982, Carney and Duncan travelled together to Kutchin communities in Alaska and the Yukon Territory to interview beadwork artists.