In the Spirit: Contemporary Northwest Native Arts Exhibit

"Blood Quantum Countdown"
by Erin Genia, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
24" x 24"
Mixed media: Ceramic, acrylic on canvas, plaster, silver, clock parts.

June 16 through August 28, 2011
at the

Washington State History Museum

This juried art exhibit showcases the work of contemporary Native American artists. Guests will see how today’s Native art connects traditional artistic heritage and contemporary forms of expression. The featured artwork was selected by a jury comprised of local experts in Native American art. The jury included Lynette Miller, Head of Collections for the Washington State Historical Society; Kayeri Akweks, Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges; and Jerry Laktonen, Native artist and winner of the 2010 Best in Show award.

In the Spirit: Northwest Native Arts Market & Festival

August 6, 2011 10 AM-7 PM

at the Washington State History Museum

2011 Award Winners

• Best in Show - Chholing Taha, Lightening Walker
• Honoring the Northwest - Justin Youso, Coast Salish Woman
• Honoring the Ancestors - Jennifer Johns, Night Hawk
• Honoring Innovation - Ramon Murillo, Preservation of Light

Other awards to be announced at the festival on August 6 are:

• Purchase Prize
• Legacy Gallery LTD Award
• Pendleton Award
• People's Choice

* * * * *

This is a truly amazing show, and I hope you have the opportunity to take it in. I am very honored to be a part of it! I'm also very thankful for the work that the people at the Evergreen Longhouse Education and Cultural Center do, and for their commitment to contemporary Indigenous artists.

Here is my artist's statement for "Blood Quantum Countdown" :

Using two different varieties of ceramic clay and a working clock, I explore the Western-imposed concept of blood quantum upon indigenous identity. Like the Western construct of time which was imposed through colonization, blood quantum has imprinted itself upon our collective psyche. Using the image of lightning, which instantly attracts the attention of all who see it flash, I seek to draw attention to the dangers of basing our identity upon racist instruments.

Blood quantum originated during a historical period of the U.S. when Native Americans were viewed as a vanishing race. Today, it enjoys widespread use by tribal and federal governments as a legitimate method of determining whether a person can be considered an American Indian. This piece warns that continuing its use inevitably leads to a countdown to our extinction.

Faces are depicted as pie charts to show the nonsensical nature of using this race-based method for quantifying Nativeness. Nobody looks like a pie chart. Our survival as a people is based upon a whole spectrum of qualifying factors, from lineal descent to connection to our tribal communities, to protecting, preserving and revitalizing our tribal cultures. It’s time to reassess the viability of the blood quantum system.

CONTACT INFORMATION
General Information
Lynette Miller
Email: lmiller@wshs.wa.gov
(253) 798-5925 Phone
(253) 272-9518 FAX
Washington State Historical Society
Washington State History Museum
1911 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402
Juried Art Exhibition and Vendor Information
Laura Grabhorn
Email: grabhorl@evergreen.edu
(360) 867-6413 Phone
(360) 867-6699 FAX
Tina Kuckkahn
Email: kuckkaht@evergreen.edu
(360) 867-5344 Phone
Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at The Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW
Olympia, WA 98505

Check it out!