Title of Event: Indigenous Artist Talk
Date and time of event: Monday March 7th 6 pm
Location of Event: Weis Center
Type of Event: Guest Artist Lecture
1.) Provide a brief detail-oriented technical description or summary of the event you attended. (This section should remain journalistic and should not be reflective of your opinion.)
Sierra is a member of the Navajo Nation, an artist, competetive dancer, and Biology Masters student. She spoke about her art for about an hour. The general theme of the art was explore connections between and meanings behind her ceramic work, dance regalia designs, family, animals, science, and purpose. I have included a picture of her speaking but given the personal nature of the art and the feeling in the room it did not feel appropriate to get into the art with a camera or take a selfie. Growing up Sierra was told stories about animals and how they created the world and that shaped how she saw life- through animals. She went through a few different majors before landing back in a huge part of her heritage: ceramics. She began reconnecting with animals and henceforth her work centered on animals. She also began adding animals to her competitive dance shawls. She began to identify with the magpie and has a magpie sculpture titled ”Self Portrait”. As she grows older she wants to be more grounded and intentional with her life and so she has begun identifying with ”Grandmother Spider”, a character from one of her childhood stories.
2.) Use the section below to write a well-structured paragraph focusing on your personal criticalinsight / response to the event. How did you interpret or react to what was presented to you?
I personally am most drawn to art that has a deep personal connection to the artist which is why I think I connected with Sierra story and artwork so much. I really enjoyed it. Sierras work, both ceramic and shawls, was beautiful, had an immense level of craft, and was so touching. I cannot wait to see what she does in art, dance, and biology next. It was deeply moving how connected she was to animals and how she saw the world. I also very much relate to her story of going through differnt paths before landing at what she was meant to do.
3.) What information, ideas, images, etc. most impressed you and why?
I was most impressed by her openness with the audience and her transparency with the meanings. She became very choked up at times but was so eager to share. I also loved her compassion and enthusiasm in sharing her heritage. Many people in the east are not very familiar with indigenous or native American culture and it was awesome to get insight into how she grew up.
4.) Overall, how would you rate this event (10 being the most worthwhile)?
(10 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 )
Nine
5.) Justify your rating in the question above:
I think for she was a very personal speaker and I took away a valuable message that I have been going through in my own life: don’t regret anything that has happened because it led you to this point. What holds it back from being a 10 (and this is not her fault) but I wish it was in an actual gallery somewhere on campus where it can be properly displayed and not just in the Weis Lobby.
