Photo Gallery (U.S. National Park Service)

This album follows the progress made by Tlingit Master Carver, Tommy Joseph, as he carves the second reproduction of the "Waas'go Legend Pole"

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Tommy Joseph uses a chisel and mallet to remove more the the excess wood, and begins to hollow out the log.

Chisel and Mallet

2959 x 3363
1.4 MB

Tommy Joseph is surrounded by caution tape in a parking lot, as he continues to work on the totem pole.

A Temporary Location

3646 x 3772
2.3 MB

Tommy Joseph uses a chainsaw to trim excess wood from the log. He is in the parking lot and surrounded by caution tape.

Chainsaw

4032 x 3024
1.9 MB

Tommy Joseph uses a chainsaw to remove excess wood from a log that will become a Totem Pole.

Preparing the Log

3024 x 4032
1.7 MB

four (4) employees in safety gear and hard hats work together to get a log onto a wheeled trailer, using a lift with heavy machinery.

Time to Move

4032 x 3024
5.3 MB

Several park employees in safety gear and hard hats are working together to move a large log, past a Totem Pole, using heavy equipment, a trailer and ropes.

To the Workshop

4032 x 3024
4.0 MB

A covered work area with a roof but open air walls with a log inside. The log is laying horizontally and is flat on one side. There is caution tape across the front of the work area.

Getting Started

3000 x 4000
3.4 MB

A log in the process of being squared. the top is flat. There is a guide on the top and a cut is visible on the sides where the carver is cutting the sides to be flat.

Squaring the log

3000 x 4000
2.7 MB

A man is using a chainsaw to make several slices into the log.

Let the Sawdust Fly

3000 x 4000
2.2 MB

A man is standing on top of a horizontal log with a chainsaw. He is sawing the log. He is using a guide to keep the edge he is cutting straight.

The Right Tool for the Job

3000 x 4000
2.1 MB

A man is using a chainsaw to make several slices into the log.

Hollowing the Log

3000 x 4000
2.2 MB

A man is swinging a mallet into a partially hollowed out log.

Mallet Time

3000 x 4000
2.1 MB

A horizontal log is partially hollowed out. Tools are resting unused in the log as the carver looks at the log.

Hard Work

3000 x 4000
2.4 MB

A horizontal log is hollowed out half way.

Half Empty or Half Full?

1280 x 960
0.3 MB

A horizontal wood pole is half hollowed out. Marks from the tools are visible where the pieces of the log were chiseled out.

A Matter of Perspective

4000 x 3000
2.7 MB

A horizontal pole that has six sides, an adze is sitting on top of it. A man is standing next to the pole leaning against his work counter, his arms are crossed.

Making it Round Again

3000 x 4000
3.1 MB

Tommy Joseph Holding an Elbow Adze

Tommy Joseph Holding an Elbow ...

4032 x 3024
2.3 MB

An Elbow Adze sits on top of a flat wooden surface. The carver's arm is visible on the left.

Elbow Adze

4032 x 3024
2.2 MB

A man is standing next to a Totem Pole and holding an extended tape measure.

Measure Twice

6000 x 4000
6.6 MB

A man is sitting on a rocky surface. He is writing on a notepad with a pencil. A tape measurer and a sign that says "Waasgo Legend Pole" are next to him.

Doing the Math

4000 x 6000
8.7 MB

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Tags

Totem pole carving Tlingit artist totem alaska native artist Alaska Native Sitka National Historical Park Alaska