Nathan Jackson, Carver

What does it mean to be an artist? For Nathan Jackson, it has meant a lifetime of carving some of Alaska’s most iconic totem poles. Jackson is a Tlingit artist carving in the traditional styles that have come to define Southeast, Alaska. His work has been recognized around the world. Jackson began carving when, as a young man, he became ill with pneumonia. During his recovery, he passed the time carving miniature totem poles. Soon after, he enrolled in the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he studied visual arts. His story is about art, tradition and legacy.