While it might not look like it at first glance, this rolled up bundle is a parka made and worn by Irene Davis of Nunivik Island, Alaska. The parka was slated for display in our Arctic-themed exhibition Art and Innovation but in order to assess its condition for display the parka had to be completely unrolled.
The parka is composed of bearded seal intestine decorated with tufts of red dyed dog hair inserted into the seams. The hair was dyed by laying it between layers of moistened red crepe paper. The string-sewn seams are reinforced with grass which prevents the stitches from tearing through the skin.
Intestines of sea mammals have been used in Alaska for centuries in the production of waterproof garments worn when hunting at sea in kayaks or, if highly decorated, for special occasions. After the viscera is removed from the carcass, the contents of the intestines are cleaned by washing and scraping. The length of intestine is then inflated and left outside to dry. When the gut is needed, it is sliced open, then sewn in strips either vertically or horizontally.
The unrolling of the parka was a gradual process. Each tuft of dog hair is encapsulated in a plastic pouch to prevent contact with water and the possibility of releasing the fugitive red dye. A very soft Japanese Hake brush (made with sheep hair bristles) is moistened with distilled water and applied to the surface of the gut. The wetted gut (although brittle when dry, it is quite strong when wet) is gently manipulated to ease out hard creases. Acid free tissue paper supports the gutskin as it dries. Once the parka was reshaped, tears and holes in the gutskin were patched with commercial sausage casing and an appropriate adhesive.
