How would you describe your community and what sort of encounters with your work do you hope they might experience?

My work always engages with the Native community, be it within my immediate area or extended nationally. The Native community I work with are rarely other artists as I am interested in connecting with those outside of the art world. Once they become involved in a project or artwork, they literally see themselves in the work and naturally become more interested. 

What role does curiosity play in your work and what are you curious about exploring in the year to come?

I think all artists have a sense of curiosity which propels their desire to make work and I am no different. In 2021, I received a Creative Capital award for my project “Indigenous Absurdities.” This project investigated “Indian humor” (a colloquial term for Native American jokes), the layers within a joke, and how an anecdote can reflect the identity of an individual or group of people. Through collecting Indigenous jokes and stories, the work reformed an understanding of Native American identity and expression. The body of work culminated in a 2023 solo exhibition at Museum of Contemporary Art Denver that included a multi-channel video, large scale paper collages on panels, and six mixed media sculptures.

Since finishing “Indigenous Absurdities,” I have been working through questions and themes that emerged while making that exhibition. These ideas relate to Indigenous feminine empowerment and strength. There is an undeniable intensity within Native women. In most historical narratives, Native women are relegated to an identity defined by exoticism and submission. My interest focuses on the power in our identity—the raw aggression and intensity. 

What about the nature of the fellowship stood out to you or resonated most with you and your work?

The Corrina Mehiel Fellowship is not project driven and meets artists where they are in their process. The openness of the fellowship and the support of BIPOC and underrecognized artists are what initially stood out to me. As I learned more about SOURCE Studio, the mission involving experimentation and social justice also seemed in line with my practice. It is rare for an organization to take the care and time to consider its applicant pool and focus on who could most benefit from their support. The attention to those underrepresented in the art world is important and I appreciate the action to help remedy the problem.