Robert Mayokok
Wales, Alaska
(1903 - 1983)
Janurary 2002
In the collection of Bill & Sue Hensler
Mayokok original India ink drawing of a "Successful Day"
December 2018
from collection of Robert Wienhold
Mayokok original India ink drawing of walruses on ice floe
September 2016
from the Sweeney collection
Mayokok original painting Denali, The Great One, from the Matanuska-Susitna Valley
January 2016
gifted by Kathleen Houvener
For more than 20 years, Robert Mayokok donated many drawings to the Easter Seal Socity of Alaska, Inc. depicting Eskimo Life, which the society used to raise funds throu card sales. Mayokok's generosity helped the society in its work throughout the state and will contine for years to come
Robert Mayokok is best remembered as an artist who shared images of Eskimo life, mostely hunting scenes, throug ivory carvings, paintings, and ink drawings. Mayokok also worked as a reindeer herder, writer, miner, longshoreman, seiner, teacher, guide and workd in movies.
Robert was born in 1903, in Wales, Alaska, which is located on the northwest edge ofthe Seward Peninsula, just a few miles across the water from Siberia. At the age of 15, Robert returned home from reindeer hearding, to find that more than half of the 500 villagers, including his whole family, had died from a flu epidemic. Although he cecame ill with the flu, he continued to herd the reindeer, which was a major source of food for the people of this area at that time. The next phase of his life was filled with many years of travel in the Lower 48, but Robert's home was Alaska, and that is where he and his wife made their home, and raised their two sons and a daughter.
Although Mayokok's first painting sold for ony .50, his work became highly valuable and greatly helped the society in fund raising. In October of 1982, the society voted to establish the Robert Mayokok Scholarship Fund through the University of Alaska Foundation, to provide scholarships for handicapped art students at our state schools. The funds for this scholarship will be generated by the sale of this 1984 calendar, which is exclusively the work of Robert Mayokok. The board also voted to present a special award of recognition to Robert Mayokok. Unfortunately, Robert died before that presentation could be made. However, Robert knew of the scholarship fund, and was very pleased that continued sales of his work would help support art students
The socity is grateful for the generosity of Robert Mayokok, and is pleased to honor him through the Robert Mayokok Memorial Scholarhsip Fund
Easter Seal Society of Alaska, Inc, 1345 West 9th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501
September 2013
from the Evenson collection
Mayokok original Eskimo blanket toss
March 2013
from the Henry Minor collection
Mayokok originals Eskimo hunters success and Eskimo kayak hunter
August 2015
from the Sweeney collection
