My name is Edward Hofseth and I am deaf. I was born and raised in Bethel, Alaska. My parents are both Yup’ik and hearing. I have two sisters and one brother who are also hearing. My father was an artist and enjoyed working with wood. My brother was an artist for the Navy.

I was born hearing but by the age of six I began to lose my ability to hear. After ten operations I became totally deaf. I went to Utah State School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah from 1964-1972. It was at the school for the deaf that I discovered my talent for art. When I was twelve years old, I went to a “hearing” school and became fascinated with art. I found that color and art were everywhere, which was good because as I became an adult my talent began to show up on tables, rocks, and glass.

My native heritage has taught me to appreciate life. My art reflects my culture in many ways. Mask carvings, oil paintings of moose, caribou, bears, and fish show life in Alaska both in its beauty and creation.

I am currently working with oil paintings, wood carvings for masks, and glass etchings. I often do family portraits and paintings from photographs. Many of my oil paintings and drawings are on display in New York and at the Anchorage Museum of Art.

I hope you enjoy my show.