Native Artist Related Questions Answered by Roxanne asked by Rose Simpson

Do you feel that your work changes according to the audience? Would you make a certain change in your artwork if only one specific cultural group would view it? (I.e. indigenous vs. non-indigenous).  If so, why?

Yes.  My work is my way of communication, so if I’m speaking to children it's different than when I’m speaking to adults,... so speaking to different cultures, it becomes different also.   I am questioning even calling myself an "artist" because when I’m making a sculpture, I’m using this form and material to communicate to someone, first most, and then having it be a pretty or interesting object comes almost accidentally.   When we speak with words, does it not change depending on who it's directed to in order to get our message across?

Do you feel your work needs to be explained by way of cultural relevance In order to be understood? If so, how often do you find yourself “filling in the blanks”?

Yes, and no.  Because my "audience" has mostly been Western (European decent), I have noticed that some images need to be explained, but having a great need to communicate with other human beings in general, I have searched for what I consider to be a common language among all races.  I notice that I do much less explaining when the language used is common human emotions.

Do you feel more or less freedom of expression outside of a mostly indigenous environment? (I.e. reservation, homelands, etc)

We are often the most judged by those closest to us.  I do, at times, feel less restraints of expression in a world that does not "know" me.  But on the other hand, those that have grown up among each other have a language of their own that can be built upon without having to explain ourselves from the beginning.  This brings up a question of whether our cultural backgrounds are feeling restrictive for us or are good foundations to move from?  I have felt both at different times in my life.

Do you feel that the Western construct of art critique as we know it is relevant in an indigenous creative environment? Why or why not?

Western construct of art critique could be an interesting experience of another way of seeing,.. but relevant to an indigenous creative environment? No.  The two are so different that trying to combine them is pointless, as the value of either one is that they are so different.  For most Native people's, there is no word for "Art" thus the concept of making something a judge-able object does not make sense.  For in the Pueblo world, what we make or do, whether its is walking, washing dishes or painting a pot.... is just what we are doing.  It is the manner in which it is done that is the point, not the separate object itself.  For the Western point of view, there exists a goal; of creating an object that has value in the eyes of abstract ideas of value.  This would have been so foreign to old indigenous cultures who saw the world not in terms of a hierarchical battle field but one in which everything including the stones and the air have a vital relationship to everything else.  Take one piece of it out and we all suffer the loss.

Do you find cultural sensitivity helping or hindering your creative Artistic development?

When "cultural images" are taken out of context, it leaves it open to be interpreted as those unfamiliar with it can categorize it from what they understand and know.  If this is Ok with you, then that is a choice one makes.  For example, the Kosa's(a spiritual group among the Pueblos) have been coming through my sculpting for most of my life because they are good at communicating some messages.  The outside world understands them through their Western ideas of clowns, thus they call them Pueblo Clowns.   Because the Kosa have powers to cross barriers of all kinds, I believe they have been the most successful of cultural images in reaching Westerners with their messages.  The message is what is important even if Westerners do not quite understand what the Kosa are.  I am OK with creating these images even if they themselves are not understood.....because they are about the message , not the "art work".  I believe that the essence of the Kosa are doing this, not me.  And because it is done in this manner, I believe it is being sensitive to our cultural ways.  Other images, I do not use because it would be coming from an idea of it rather than itself coming through me.  So does this hinder my creative development?  That is a Western point of view struggling with a cultural point of view.  They don’t go together so either I am playing in the Western world of art of abstraction and ideas, or I am breathing and living in a cultural way of doing just what needs to be done now.

Do you feel that cultural relevance in your work creates a “glass ceiling” of appreciation from the mainstream contemporary western art world? If so, do you choose to release or maintain the reference to cultural identity in the work?

What is the truth...is the question.  People love to run to what they think is the next cool thing.  And if "Indian art" is cool right now, then it gets a lot of attention whether it is understood or not.  But these things are temporary.  In the Western Art Game, this could be a useful tool as long as it last.  And I certainly have gained Western wealth (money and prestige) from it, but it is very important to me to stay conscious of the fact that it is a game who's rules change as easily as the people's latest fashions.  If I choose to announce my cultural identity in my work, I am aware of how the cultural differences will create misunderstandings.  That is just the truth of what happens when two things that are just too different from each other respond.  So the question becomes more of whether it works for what you need at this time or not.  But to think that the fickleness of it will last or to think that you will be understood in a cultural way, is too much to ask and could lead to a life of real frustration.