Women Warriors Against Violence
“The Creator has left the sky too low. We are going to have to do something about it, and how can we do that when we do not have a common language? …We can all learn one word, that is all we need. That word is yehaw̓ – that means to proceed, to go forward, to do it.”
The yəhaw̓ exhibition opening at Seattle’s King Street Station in March 2019 will feature the work of over 200 Indigenous creatives. The show will be accompanied by a mentorship training cohort, satellite shows, and partner programs throughout the region.
This looks to be a fantastic collection. Please pass it along to others.
Art, all forms, has a way of connecting people when words fail. Art heals when society falls short. We are blessed with First Nations art works all over our region and part of the culture, from totem poles to sport teams names and logos. This exhibition is where old and new merge. It’s where traditions are kept alive by way of mentoring the future generations of artists.
About yəhaw̓
yəhaw̓ is an open call exhibition celebrating the depth and diversity of Indigenous art made in the Pacific Northwest. All Indigenous creatives living in our region are invited to participate, and everyone who applies will have work included in the exhibition.
The title of the show, yəhaw̓, is drawn from the Coast Salish story of Native people from all tribes uniting around a common cause and lifting up the sky together. In the spirit of the story, this exhibition will be a collective portrait of Native America, including creatives of all ages and stages in their careers, from Urban and Reservation communities, working in contemporary and traditional materials, and in ways that may or may not be widely recognized as Native. And just as, historically, Indigenous makers seamlessly imbued utilitarian objects with spiritual and artistic meaning, we seek to challenge the false divide between craft and fine art, as well as high and low art, by equally valuing all objects as part of our cultural continuum.
The exhibition will also be accompanied by mentorship opportunities to support continued artistic development in the Indigenous community, and we hope that all exhibition participants will gain experience and exposure, and create sustaining relationships.
It will include works by the descendants of Florence Davidson, a First Nations artist from the Haida nation, who created traditional basketry and button-blankets. Like the potter, Amanda Swimmer, from the eastern Cherokee Nation, she passed down the legacy of language and tradition and is celebrated by her people.
Merging the old with the new
The title of the show, yəhaw̓, is drawn from the Coast Salish story of Native people from all tribes uniting around a common cause and lifting up the sky together. In the spirit of the story, this exhibition will be a collective portrait of Native America, including creatives of all ages and stages in their careers, from Urban and Reservation communities, working in contemporary and traditional materials, and in ways that may or may not be widely recognized as Native. And just as, historically, Indigenous makers seamlessly imbued utilitarian objects with spiritual and artistic meaning, we seek to challenge the false divide between craft and fine art, as well as high and low art, by equally valuing all objects as part of our cultural continuum.
What traditions do we keep? And from where do they come? With all the DNA testing being done, it seems the separation is becoming more blurred. So, it seems that traditions are becoming that way too. And people are feeling a separation. This show is about embracing the new with an appreciation for the old ways. Here is our lesson.
Embrace the beauty that is born in us. You never truly know from where inspiration comes. I do know, that it can be seen in all of the arts and artists whose works speak their cultural truths.
First Nations artist Christi Belcourt
For more about the other events held in other cities around the NW, click the link. The website is chock full of interesting happenings and people. Included are gallery shows and exhibitions, art markets, workshops, mentoring and three amazing women artist who are the Curators of the upcoming March exhibit in Seattle.
https://yehawshow.com/
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