New Indigenous art flourishes CU Engineering Center

Please听share a bit of what the mural, 鈥淏uffalo Nation鈥� represent.

With听鈥淏uffalo Nation鈥�, it was obvious to me with CU Boulder having a buffalo as their mascot, that I would represent what the buffalo means to me as an artist and as a Lakota woman. My tribe considers the buffalo to be our relative and they are part of our creation story. They are sacred and have provided for my ancestors in terms of clothing, food, shelter and tools, so I wanted to honor the buffalo with a mural as well.听

When did you realize that art was a vocation for you?

I often get asked this question, and my answer is always 鈥渟ince forever.鈥澨齀鈥檝e听been a creative person since my beginnings and come from a family of artists. My dad was the very first artist I was ever aware of, and I grew up around his drawings and paintings. I think the gift of creating was something I was innately born with.

Where do you draw art inspiration from?听

I draw my inspiration from my identity, my culture, stories I鈥檝e been told, historical context and events, old photographs and color palettes.

Is there anything you鈥檝e learned through your art about the intersection between art, science and humanity?

I鈥檝e learned that you cannot have one without the others. That intersectionality is a way of life for many Native American people. I utilize my art to share stories of my culture, humanity听and science is often built into our culture art works.听

Left Photo (Credit - Jesse Peterson): Buffalo Nation is located in the south Violet Peak location.

Please听share a bit of what the murals, 鈥淚ndigenous Knowledge鈥� symbolize.

I wanted to create artwork that represented the space they would be in. My first thoughts were, 鈥淚 need to do something that portrays Indigenous peoples鈥� knowledge of STEM and how we have always used our ancient knowledge to build, create and sustain our lifeways.鈥澨齌hat said, 鈥淚ndigenous Knowledge鈥� tells that story but in a contemporary way. It is all about native educators and scientists continuing to use our star knowledge which intersects art, science and culture.听

Can you give us a glimpse of your creative process of how you start a piece?

It really depends on the end goals, the space, the people that will interact with the piece and if there are any special requests by the client hiring me to create a mural.听 In my studio practice, it鈥檚 much more a free-flowing experience and I just go more with my feelings and emotions and let that translate to a canvas. When it comes to mural work, it鈥檚 much more strategic, planned and calculated.听听

Any forthcoming art pieces we should keep an eye out for?

Always! I have a big solo exhibition of my studio work that will open on Feb. 29, 2024 at History Colorado Center in Denver. I am also installing the last few murals of the year around Denver. One will be a private hire inside a skyscraper downtown and the other will be at a very well-known sports stadium downtown 鈥� to be announced at a later date!

I usually keep all the latest art happenings posted on my Instagram, so feel free to follow me there: .听

Right Photo (Credit - Jesse Peterson): Indigenous Knowledge is located directly in front of the BOLD Center.

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