Exhibition of Contemporary Native American Elder Art
PacArts
303 South Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731
Opening Reception: January 7th from 6 to 8 PM
The show is called “Neshkinukat” which means, “One Who Has Relatives,” in the Luiseno language, or, “We Are All Related,” in the Lakota way of speaking.
Several years ago there was a push to form a network of Native artists in California to support each other, to spotlight their unique place in California history and culture, and to create opportunities for mentoring Native youth — as well as all youth who have had art cut out of their education.
There is a large and dispersed population of Native people in the South Bay, but they have drifted away from each other because it is difficult to hold together when you are from different tribes; when you do not work together the ties that connect you become worn. The stories that are reminders of traditions and history began to fade away.
“Salmon” by Nadia Reed & Ken Reed, Tribal Elder
Traditionally for Native Americans, “Art” was not separate from objects of daily life. For many tribes, paint equals power, and objects were painted to increase their power. Symbols were used to create relationships and tell stories. Tribal Elders often had the experiences that are depicted in these stories.
This exhibition is a seed, a step towards bringing Native peoples together in community, to feel pride in the elder artist/storytellers, and also to help the larger community appreciate the beauty and power in these stories, and absorb the wisdom they contain. This is an important function of art: to connect people over time and space and to acknowledge our common human condition.
By Bernie Granados
The exhibit contains traditional art as well as abstract work. There will be crafts for sale and opportunities to converse with some of the artists on First Thursday (the night of the reception) as well as to enjoy a variety of music.
January is the time when people make resolutions for the year ahead. Since it is the first exhibition of 2016 at PacArts, it seems fitting to celebrate that we are all interconnected — that we are all related — as we look ahead to working together on the local and global issues facing us all. Neshkinukat!
[This show was previously presented at NoHo SAC and came about through one of the residents, Caroline McElroy, who is a Native American activist, elder, and teacher.]
~ Maureen Kellen-Taylor, EngAGE C.O.O.
