Native America: In Translation | Museum of Contemporary Photography
Martine Gutierrez, Queer Rage, Imagine Life-Size, and I’m Tyra, p66-67 from Indigenous Woman, 2018 Courtesy of the artist; RYAN LEE Gallery, New York; and Aperture
Written by Meighan Ashford
Photo Edited by Kelly Woodyard
The works of the nine Native artists showcasing "Native America: In Translation," which was curated by Wendy Red Star and organized by Aperture, evoke a strong sense of history and cultural reclamation as soon as you walk into the gallery. Through various mediums including photography, sculpture, and mixed media, the artists collectively unravel complex narratives surrounding community, heritage, and the enduring impacts of colonialism on the North American continent. By exploring themes of colonialism's legacy, community, and heritage throughout what is now known as North America
Guadalupe Maravilla, I Crossed the Border Retablo, 2021, Courtesy of the artist; Princeton University Art Museum, New Jersey; and Aperture
Viewers are boldly challenged by the exhibition to face hard realities about identity, land rights, and the lasting effects of settler governments' violence against Native Americans. Every piece of art challenges us to critically reassess our views and understandings by acting as a powerful reminder of the power dynamics present in the history of Indigenous populations represented in photography. Along with examining the contentious history of photography's portrayal of Indigenous populations, the artists pose difficult questions regarding land rights, gender, identity, and the violence committed against Native people by settler governments.
Guadalupe Maravilla, I Crossed the Border Retablo, 2021, Courtesy of the artist; Princeton University Art Museum, New Jersey; and Aperture
The wide range of Indigenous perspectives that are represented in "Native America: In Translation" is one of its most captivating features. The exhibition presents a variety of voices and experiences, from the melancholic images of Rebecca Belmore, which speak volumes about resilience and resistance, to the provocative installations of Duane Linklater, which challenge ideas of authenticity and appropriation.
Serving as the curator and guest editor of Aperture magazine's Fall 2020 issue, Wendy Red Star has created an exhibition that goes beyond simple representation to provide a forum for discussion, introspection, and personal growth from the images curated. Red Star emphasizes how crucial it is for Native languages to be prioritized as a means of achieving decolonization, highlighting the artists' contributions to the transformation of culture and history.
Duane Linklater, ghostinthemachine, 2021, Courtesy of the artist; Catriona Jeffries, Vancouver; and Aperture
Further evidence of the growing importance of Indigenous voices in the contemporary art world comes from the support given to "Native America: In Translation'' by organizations like the MoCP Advisory Board and Columbia College Chicago. From their continuous strong support for amplifying marginalized narratives to creating inclusive spaces for artistic expression is demonstrated by the generous funding provided by institutions such as the Illinois Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Finally, voices that haven't been heard are getting the chance to shine.
Nalikutaar Jacqueline Cleveland, Molly Alexie and her children after a harvest of beach greens in Quinhagak, Alaska, from the series Ethnobotany, 2018, Courtesy of the artist and Aperture
Ultimately, "Native America: In Translation" is a potent illustration of the inventiveness, tenacity, and ongoing cultural vitality of Indigenous people. In the end, the featured artists challenge us to confront the complexity of our shared histories and envision a more just and equitable future by encouraging us to imagine new possibilities for image-making and storytelling through their keen perceptions and deeply ingrained cultural insights.
Works by: Rebecca Belmore, Nalikutaar Jacqueline Cleveland, Martine Gutierrez, Duane Linklater, Guadalupe Maravilla, Kimowan Metchewais, Alan Michelson, Koyoltzintli, and Marianne Nicolson.
Rebecca Belmore, matriarch, from the series nindinawemaganidog (all of my relations), 2018, Courtesy of the artist and Aperture; photograph by Donna Hagerman
