SAR Announces 2018-19 Native Artist Fellows
Nanibaa Beck. “Balance in Asymmetry Necklace,” 2018. Photo courtesy of the artist.
2018 Ronald and Susan Dubin Fellow
Navajo metalsmith Nanibaa Beck learned her craft from her father, Victor Beck, Sr. which allowed her to connect with her culture and sense of self. During her residency, she plans to work with five female metalsmiths from the surrounding area. Beck expects to learn directly from this diverse group of female Native artists and to conduct research to strengthen her knowledge of Diné history, Indigenous female perspective, and to refresh her knowledge of Native jewelry. Beck will be in residence from June 15—August 15, 2018.
2018 Rollin and Mary Ella King Native Artist Fellow
Gerry Quotskuyva, a Hopi katsina carver, developed a passion for his craft in his 30s. His current work on The Gnarly Root Project was inspired by a unique and unusually large piece of cottonwood root he found twelve years ago. Quotskuyva plans to carve numerous female Katsinam in flight, bursting from the base. Interspersed around them will be symbols of power and strength in the form of Puebloan designs and petroglyph symbols. Quotskuyva will be in residence from September 1—December 1, 2018.
2019 Eric and Barbara Dobkin Native Artist Fellow
Meghann O’Brien, a Haida/Kwakwaka’wakw weaver, is interested in reconciling the perceived divide between male dominated totem and mask carving and that of weaving and textiles often deemed ‘women’s work.’ O’Brien views her work as wearable art and often draws her inspiration from high fashion. “The traditions in haute couture still honor textiles and the handmade as an art worth celebrating,” she writes. While in residence O’Brien will create an intricately woven necklace in the Chilkat tradition, depicting the mythological Haida Dogfish Mother. She will be in residence from March 1—May 31, 2019.
The Native artist fellowships support diverse creative disciplines. Recent fellows have included Brent Michael Davids (composer), Maile Andrade (multimedia), Mateo Romero (painter), Will Wilson (photographer), Erica Lord (performance artist), Carol Emarthle Douglas (basketmaker), Kathleen Wall (sculptor), and Loren Aragon (fashion designer).
Gerry Quotskuyva. “Guardians of the Mesas,” 2014. Acrylic on cottonwood root. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Meghann O’Brien. “Kuugan Jaad I, II, Contemporary Chilkat Leggings,” 2015. Merino-cashmere, cashmere, yellow cedar bark. Photo by Stasia Garraway, courtesy of the artist.
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