If you’ve spent time in Ketchikan, you’ve likely seen the work of Israel Shotridge. He has totem poles on display near Creek Street and outside a tribal medical facility, to name a few. The Tlingit Master Carver passed away in Washington state in April at the age of 75.
Also known by his Tlingit name, Kinstaádaál, or The Bear That is Standing Up, Israel was born in 1951 to parents Milton Jackson and Ester Shea. His English birth name was Howard Jackson, but he changed it later in life. Israel was a member of the Tongass Tribe’s Bear Clan.
Growing up, Israel excelled in school and sports. He was on the wrestling team at Kayhi, which won a state championship during his tenure. His nickname on the team was “Spider.”
But Israel’s passion was for the arts.
“I think that carving for him was peaceful, you know, one on one with the wood and what you’re creating,” said Israel’s oldest brother Willard Jackson. He said Israel liked to draw at a young age.
“Creativity for him came easy, but he was good at it,” Jackson said.
After going to college in Seattle, Israel returned to Ketchikan and eventually began carving. His first major project was in the late 1980s, when he was commissioned alongside two others to carve a replica of the 55-foot Chief Johnson totem pole. It was the first pole in over 50 years to be carved and raised in Ketchikan, and still stands downtown today.
Israel also has totem poles on view outside the Ketchikan Indian Community Health Center and inside of Ketchikan’s Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. His family said Israel’s public work can be found from Washington state to Washington, D.C.
Israel met his wife, Sue, around the time he was working on the Chief Johnson pole. Sue ran a Native art gallery in town and had a few of Israel’s pieces on view.
Sue said she wasn’t just drawn to Israel’s art. She was intrigued by the man behind the art.
“He was friendly to everybody, and I just fell in love with him,” Sue said. “He was fun to be around. We laughed. We both had the same interest in the culture, it was a fun journey.”
The two married a few years later in a small traditional ceremony at the clan house in Saxman.
In addition to his totem work, Israel carved bentwood boxes, masks, panels and other ceremonial pieces. And like the wives of other carvers, Sue said she helped Israel paint his creations.
“I loved being around when he was carving,” she said. “I loved to watch him carve. The smell of him coming home smelling like cedar, was great.”
In the 1990s Israel and Sue moved to Washington state, where they opened their shop – The Shotridge Collection. Together, they sold Native art prints, formline journals, abalone jewelry and more. Sue says they’ve sold pieces all around the globe.
But art wasn’t Israel’s only interest. He had a love for music – and a particular affinity for Jimi Hendrix. He even had a radio show on KRBD back in the day where he went by the moniker “Cosmo.”
Israel was also a family man who loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Sue said this, his art and cultural preservation, will be Israel’s lasting legacy.
“He was the humblest and most modest artist that I ever knew,” Sue said. “He just had a great love for his culture and for creating, and I truly believe that in the spirit world, he now can carve again.”
Sue said she felt Israel’s spirit during her phone interview with KRBD. She was eyeing a carving that Israel made of a bear standing up — just like his Tlingit name.
Jackson believes his brother’s spirit will span beyond the Pacific Northwest. He said Israel’s carvings, and legacy, can be found all around the globe.
“His effect across the world – you’ll always see it in his artwork,” Jackson said. “It’ll always be there. Everywhere. You can’t go through town or anywhere else without seeing his artwork.”
“It’s there. And every time I see it, I know it’s his,” Jackson added.
There will be an open memorial service for Israel on June 20 at the Ted Ferry Civic Center in Ketchikan.
Sue also plans to return Israel’s ashes to Southeast Alaska next year for a canoe journey from Wrangell to Ketchikan. She said Israel wanted to do that but never had the chance when he was alive.
Hunter Morrison is a Report for America corps member for KRBD. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution.
