Neebinnaukzhik Southall
2021 Eric and Barbara Dobkin Fellowship
Anishinaabe Healing Stories on Racial Justice Illustration, 2019. Vector artwork. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Logo for Waub Ajijaak Press, 2017. Vector artwork. Photo courtesy of the artist.
The School for Advanced Research is pleased to welcome graphic designer and illustrator, Neebinnaukzhik Southall, as the 2021 Eric and Barbara Dobkin Native Artist Fellow. Southall is a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and runs a small creative business here in Santa Fe called Neebin Studios. They have stated that through their work in graphic design, photography, and writing, they seek to create positive representations of Native people. Additionally, Southall explained that “[they have spent] much time over the years researching Anishinaabe visual and material culture, and [they] incorporate these aesthetics into [their] artwork to promote the value and knowledge of Anishinaabe culture.”
During their time at SAR, Southall plans to develop a set of free Anishinaabe digital illustrations for use by Anishinaabe communities and organizations. In their application, Southall described the lack of culturally relevant icons or stock art, which has led many to utilize images or clip or that is not directly relevant to Anishinaabe communities and often grounded in generic “Indian” imagery. They hope that this project will “familiarize viewers with Anishinaabe culture and promote visual sovereignty.” Southall also described the various ancestral, historic, and contemporary Anishinaabe imagery that these illustrations will draw from, such as petroglyphs, incised bark pictographs, beadwork, quillwork, woven patterns and historic textiles, floral imagery, and The Woodlands School. The final product will be available on their website and downloadable by request.
In Southall’s words: “I value hands-on, practical work, and my aspirations are not only about educating myself as a Native artist and designer but are also about educating others and making information accessible. I wish to continue to find ways to work with and be beneficial to other Native people.”
Southall with be in residence from March 1, 2021 to May 31, 2021.
Neebinnaukzhik Southall
May 27, 2020 @ 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm.
Join us online for this event. Register for the program here and join us from home to hear this presentation and join the conversation. Neebinnaukzhik Southall (Chippewas of Rama First Nation) has been working on developing a set of free Anishinaabe digital illustrations for use by Anishinaabe communities and organizations. Join us as they talk about their work and time as SAR’s 2021 Eric and Barbara Dobkin Native Artist Fellow. More information here.