By Allison Levering
Photos by Tory Grassrope
On December 5, Haskell Indian Nations University art instructor, David Titterington hosted the ‘Power in Place’ art exhibit in Seattle Hall for his students to exhibit their work. Open to the public, the exhibit featured ceramic, pencil-drawn art, and painted canvases. Titterington has done art for the past ten years and says in his experience in teaching at Haskell “Indigenous students are amazing. They come already full of knowledge and experience, so I feel like I’m learning alongside everybody and it’s an honor to facilitate and encourage creativity.” Student artist Shaun Neconie of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, shares the story of his featured art titled “Captain Native America”.
“It’s based on the Battle of Little Bighorn. Captain America is supposed to be Chief Sitting Bull. And so I did research on his shield and Chief Sitting Bull actually owned a blue shield with a red circle over it. So I saw that it’s perfect for Captain America.” The drawing also featured Crazy Horse in a heroic light and Custer and his men running away from the warchiefs. Neconie shares “I took inspiration from Stephen Paul Judd’s The Indigenous Hulk and directed my thoughts towards this historical event and their victory.”
Markie Solis from the Yocha Tribe displayed her ceramic project and said ” To create what makes you happy and it’s a gift to be able to share joy with others. Connect with your Interests and create for yourself and others.”
Mary Jane Eagle, an Ojibwe artist from Minnesota, shared that her art reflects the concept of reservations and how they feel dystopian. She also shares how natives are inaccurately represented in the media. Her inspiration comes from comic books and breaking the stereotypical portrayal of native americans in art. Her art conveys the adversity of natives on and off the reservation and the changes that happen in living in both societies.
More student art is available on Instagram @HINUarts
