Sense of Place:

Contemporary Native American Art

 

Shan Goshorn

Randall Charboneau/ Waywaymegwun

Xtuxto Perez

Select any artist above to view their works

Sense of place is a powerful, multi dimensional concept among Native American cultures. Beginning with geographical boundaries, one must remember that Native Americans, or First Nations peoples lived on the American continents prior to Westernized borders. Hence this exhibit features artists from the area now represented by The United States, Canada, and Mexico. While each artist has developed their own personal identity, they all share a common sense of place, or shared identity with Native American cultures.

Artist Xtuxto Perez (Aztec, Mexico) illustrates this common bond among Native Americans with a series of works that reflect on his relocation from Mexico to California. As he adjusted to life in America, he found himself drawn to the spiritual power of local Native American iconography, which he added to his highly acclaimed pop oriented monotype prints.

Additionally, sense of place also refers to one's natural environment. Native Americans share a special relationship with and responsibility to Mother Earth, for helping to shape their communal identity. Artist Shan Goshorn (Eastern Cherokee, United States) celebrates this role with her Earth Renewal Series. These works superimpose photos of Native Americans in ceremonial attire upon photos of natural settings. The translucent, double exposure aesthetic of these works speaks to the delicate and tenuous nature of this relationship, as many Native Americans become engulfed with modern life.

Finally, sense of place is defined by one's spiritual identity and state of mind. Artist Randall Charboneau/Waywaymegwun (Cree, Canada) expresses his spiritual nature within his works. Employing traditional icons and mythologies, he delineates long held traditions in a contemporary manner. His works often refer to Mother Earth, family, regeneration and balance in life, all spiritual quests within Native American faiths.

Xtuxto Perez, Shan Goshorn and Randall Charboneau/Waywaymegwun provide broad and uniquely Native American views of sense of place. Balancing age-old traditions and modernity, these artists provide a barometer for current Native American cultures, serving as a bridge to their further understanding and mutual respect.

Exhibition sponsored by Thompson Hospitality & Compass Group