Jesus Fitlog was one of the top traditional carvers of Yap. He was born on island of Rumung, the forbidden island of Yap.  In 2001 he completed carving his last full size canoe, a prized assets of local fishermen.

Fitlog carved with an adz, continuing in the traditional style providing a means to continue cultural ties with the younger carvers.

Tattoo instruments, men’s food dishes, bamboo daggers, monkey men, fish lures and shell money are just a few of the traditional items he made.

He is remembered...

Jesus Fitlog

Benito Miginigad

Benito Miginigad was born and raised in Gagil in the village of Makiy. His interest in carving began at an early age and was ignited by a cultural program in high school. He learned to carve traditional objects such as combs and small decorative items. He continued carving thinking that his love for carving was only for his own pleasure.

Then in 1994 The Ethnic Art Institute asked Ben to join their project carving full time.  He learned more about traditional items carved in the Caroline Islands. The experience presented new understanding about his natural talent and the potential of a carving career.

In 1997 he began carving with the Yap Art Studio, continuing to carve traditional pieces and adding contemporary pieces such as turtles, manta rays, sharks, boxes and decorative items. Ben is now a well established carver in Yap.  His work has become a prized collectible for visitors to Yap.

Ben still resides in Makiy with his wife, six daughters and two sons spending his days enjoying his family and carving.

Rudolf Ken a carver from the village of Makei was born deaf. Rudolf’s carvings are inspired by life around him -the fish he sees diving to feed his family and his knowledge of Yaps legends are developed with a unique, interesting, interpretative style.

Mangrove wood is used as he develops his images utilizing texture and designs inspired by island flora and fauna. Carving skills learned growing up in the village are now being passed on to his son.

Rudolf Ken

David Flemar

Staleen  Spish, as this is written, is a thirteen-Year-old boy of Yapese and Palauan heritage.  He is living on Yap Island in a village with many of his Yapese Uncles and cousins. Staleen has acquired knowledge and skills unconsciously, like breathing or walking, accomplished without knowing how or when.  He just does it.

Working presently as an apprentice with his cousin Michel Finey, Staleen is creating outstanding storyboards depicting the legends and culture of the islands.

Michael Finey is from the village of Fedoor, Delipebinaw on Yap Island.  He learned his craft as a carver as he grew up watching and working with his Father, Pablo Finey. 

Time spent off island going to school in Palau studying refrigerator and air conditioning repair and working in Key West Florida and Guam created a new perspective and appreciation of the life-style and culture of his home on Yap.

Michael’s storyboards, branch boards, and carvings in the round show an appreciation of the culture and life-style he took for granted as a child. Michael’s skills learned at his father’s knee now give him a self-sustaining way of life doing something he really enjoys.

Anthony Golbuw carves standing storyboards shaped like the stone money. All things negative in our life have the potential to become a positive factor. Time in jail has provided exposure to carving.

Now the focus for his life, carving allows him to express his experience of village life on Yap, work in a taro patch, fishing, time spent at a men’s house learning about legends, mining and transportation of the stone money.  Carving has given him a career that will provide for a greater life style in his future.

Bernard Giltamad is from the village of Toruw, Maap which is the very northern tip of Yap. In 1994, he began exploring his artistic skills carving with the Micronesian Ethnic Art Institute.

In 1999, he joined the Yap Art Studio artists developing his skills in finishing work brought in by village carvers. Now in addition to his finishing skills he is exploring and developing carving reef scenes and local legends.

John Worswick

Jesse Falanruw is the son of carver Rudolf Ken. Growing up with this influence has given him carving skills at an early age. His carvings are modern and very creative dramatizing and featuring sea life.

His interest now is directed towards learning more about his culture and the traditions of Yap. He participates in traditional dances and learning more about his island at the local men’s house. He’s a student at Yap High School.

Rufino Walag is from Darikan, Rull on the main island of Yap. His career as a carver started after 8 years of teaching school and felt he needed a career change. He began carving 1999 and was paid $15 for his first piece.

The inspiration, creativity, and ability to develop images with interesting texture and design have quickly brought Rufino’s carving into demand.  His carvings sell immediately or are spoken for before they arrive at the gallery. He is destined to be one of Yap’s most prominent carvers.

Stan Gamowis from Taneyoboch, Rull a village on Yap Island. As a young boy Stan began carving, carving could provide income when other jobs on the island were scarce.

Wood pieces Stan carves begin with character allowing the wood to inspire an interpretation for him to carve.  His style and creativity are a pleasure for all to enjoy. Now with new tools Stab is putting more detail and texture into his pieces.

Tommy Tamangmed from the village of Tafnith in Namigil carves storyboards on mangrove. Tommy began carving storyboards ten years ago with a focus on daily life, history and legends of Yap.

His stylistic carvings are have boarders representing traditional designs characteristic of those carved in men’s houses. The local style finish provides a special glow.

Lawrence Giltamag is from Gitam, Makiy on the island of Yap. As a child Giltmag carved slingshots. The piece above in his hand is his first real carving!

Working with Stan Gamow he is developing the creative style of his mentor allowing the wood to speak through the carvers hands. He can look forward to a promising career as a carver.