"Reincarnation of Thomas Schulz Bear" Robe

© copyright 2004 Clarissa Hudson

Private Collection
Contact Clarissa for permission to use image for educational purposes only
Button blanket robe 5’h x 6’ w
Navy blanket, 100% wool, mother-of-pearl buttons, red seed beads

This robe was made in honor of a dear neighbor and friend, Thomas H. Schulz. Tom was a writer/poet who loved the outdoors. During the month of July 1980, he kayaked alone in the Lynn Canal and Glacier Bay area of Southeast Alaska, over-nighting in Skagway, Haines and eventually Gustavus, just before going up into Glacier Bay National Park. The first camp he set up in Glacier Bay was in Sandy Cove. July 31, 1980 was his last journal entry. He was eaten by a black, she-bear. According to the Park Rangers, Tom did everything by the book to deter any disturbances from bears; the details of the encounter remain a mystery.

The main design is a bear grasping a human being. The interior body of the bear is simultaneously Tom’s body (head, arms, legs, torso, etc.). The bear and Tom became “one.” The tongue of the bear is simultaneously Tom’s head, outlined in red, seed beads stitched upon the mother-of-pearl buttons (see photo detail).

A red, seed bead tube is stitched along the inside border of the robe (see photo detail); curlique patterning on each border represents the ocean.

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Kenai Visitors' Center "Alaska 2005, Native Arts Now" Exhibit