Contact: Tanis S'eiltin, (360) 650-6564 or Tanis.S'eiltin@wwu.edu
BELLINGHAM - Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies will host a discussion Jan. 29 examining the role of indigenous artists in contemporary society.
The free program, "Contemporary Sovereignty: War, Spirituality & Identity," will explore the ways in which modern Native American artists challenge the stereotypes of what is indigenous art. It begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Fairhaven Presentation Hall, with free parking available in the lot adjacent to Fairhaven College.
The talk coincides with "Trespassing," an exhibit featuring contemporary Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian fine artists at Whatcom Museum of History and Art through March 22 and at Allied Arts of Whatcom County through Jan. 31. That exhibit includes the artwork of three of the speakers on the "Contemporary Sovereignty" panel: Tanis S'eiltin, John Feodorov and Roxanne Chinook.
"The art exhibited in ‘Trespassing' not only challenges long-held stereotypes, but also marks our place and existence in the 20th and 21st centuries," said S'eiltin, a professor of art at Fairhaven College. For example, the artwork addresses tribes' continued relationship with federal and state governments, challenges the practice of cultural appropriation and examines the evolution of native identity in a global context. "It sounds heady," S'eiltin said, "but much of the work is approachable, satirical and very humorous."
"Contemporary Sovereignty" will include a multi-media presentation and a panel discussion with:
* S'eiltin who is also an artist of Tlingit heritage and guest co-curator of "Trespassing."
* Feodorov, assistant professor of art at Fairhaven College whose work draws from his Navajo heritage.
* Chinook, an artist and social activist of Warm Springs and Wasco heritage and program director of American Indian Art from the Pacific Northwest, a Web site showcasing the work of Native American fine artists.
* Dian Million, an assistant professor of Native American Studies at the University of Washington and a Fairhaven College alumna of Dine and Athapaskan heritage.
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