The Story She Held Inside; Her Metis Spirit

Art is a way for me to convey the memories I have collected—my own as well as those that have been shared with me. I am part of a long legacy of strong women and proud men who have worked, struggled, and enjoyed our efforts to live as who we are. Creative expression is often a process of discovery and recovery. I share the stories and culture given to me by others. Through my art I often give voice to the women's stories, which are so frequently omitted by those defining history. Through form or materials I am always remembering something—gestures, moments, skylines, absence, and laughter. In the creative process is a realization that there is always a story ready to be told.

My assemblage work reflects the complexities of life. Materials are carefully selected to mirror the richness of my heritage and the multiplicities of my life. The merging of the organic and man-made is a reflection of the world in which I exist. Glass is a metaphor for the beauty and fragility of life. Site work is an honoring process for me. It is the way I give respect to the land that provides us so much. Performance is always an act of faith and remembering. The exploration of materials and media is a commitment to always challenge myself and to grow as an artist and as a human being.

 

The Story She Held Inside, 2000, Pate d'Vere, 20" x 18".

 

Her Métis Spirit, 1999, mixed media, 45" x 32".