We opened “Bloodlines: Nez Perce Art” on Saturday at the Josephy Center. Bloodlines, we thought, would describe the multigenerational and family nature of the art. And traditional weaving and ledger art could stand beside bright modern acrylic paintings. The show stays up through June 6.
I don’t know that the audience spent much time thinking about the title, but they liked the art! Basketry, jewelry, and the bright acrylic paintings from Ellen Taylor delighted the crowd. The youngest artist, 18-year-old Emma Cash from Lapwai, sold several prints, and ledger artist Nakia Cloud sold four of the six pieces he brought. Ledger art is a legacy of 1830s Plains Indian art painted on the pages of ledger books when paper was scarce. The art continues to this day, painted still on old ledger book pages—if the artist can find them—or modern reproductions. Nakia painted on the old ones.
Art and art sales were important, but the warmth of the crowd, the introductions by Stacia Morfin, whose Nez Perce Tourism business facilitated the entire event, the blessing in the Nez Perce language by Nakia Cloud, and the food and mountain tea around which we gathered all made it a special day.
Twenty-two pieces of art sold, but the show will be up until June 6, so there is still time to buy! And plenty of time to look, as sold flat art stays on walls and panels with little red “sold” stickers until that end date.
The art and art sales are important, but the relationships between local people and Native artists are even more important. The Josephy Center has closer relations with Stacia and curator Jordan Shawl from Nez Perce Tourism, with Ann McCormack from Nez Perce Tribe’s Economic Development, with Jacy Sohappy and her work at Crow’s Shadow Institute on the Umatilla Rez and at Nez Perce Homeland in Wallowa. Our most important work in holding this show is providing a window into Tribal art and lives for local people; and the opportunity for Nez Perce people to find friendship and understanding in their ancient homeland.
Come see the show and join us in growing these relationships.
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Painting is “The Engagement,” by Ellen Taylor. Acrylic on Canvas.