'Transfusion': An Exhibit of Works by Contemporary Native American Artists June 13, 2008

Transfusion, an exhibit of works by four contemporary Native American artists, all in their mid-30s and with mixed ethnic backgrounds that are reflected in their art, is on view through September 4 at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central Street, Evanston.

Artists in the exhibit, which opened June 14, are Craig George, who is of Navajo and Thai descent; John Joe, who is Navajo, Zuni, and Irish; Chris Pappan, who is Osage (Kaw), Cheyenne River Sioux, and Scottish; and Debra Yepa-Pappan, who is Jemez Pueblo and Korean.

The four met as students at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, N. Mex., and all except George live in Chicago.

Its unusual for the Mitchell Museum to host an exhibit devoted to contemporary Native American artists dealing with present-day themes, according to John Low, the museums executive director and a member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.

In the introduction to the exhibit catalog, artist and exhibit curator Yepa-Pappan writes, We, the artists, are American Indians of mixed heritage. We acknowledge the different cultures that are transfused in our own blood and make us who we are.

The images on view, she writes, reflect being Native American in contemporary urban society and what we know of ourselves as Native People.

George was born on the Northern Navajo reservation in Arizona. He creates mixed-media paintings, integrating abstract images with rough details. Each piece he creates has its own story and distinct style, which reflects his Navajo heritage, according to the catalog.

Born in Colorado and raised in Native communities in northwestern New Mexico, Joe says his work is based on investigating indigenous identity. He is especially interested in the commercialization, representation and mis-education of our people and also the processes of Native re-invention, preservation, and re-education.

In a first-person essay in the exhibit catalog, Pappan describes himself as an American Indian living in the 21st century. He says, I dont listen to the wind. I listen to peoples cell phone conversations. . . . I dont walk the Red Road. I walk down Damen Avenue. He says he paints with the intent to show that Indians are still here.

Yepa-Pappan writes that she uses photography to explore issues of identity and Indian stereotypes, as well as to portray contemporary Native people. She has spent most of her life in Chicago and says she is influenced by contemporary and urban culture.

Admission to the Transfusion exhibit is free with an entrance donation to the museum. Suggested donation is $5 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, students, and children. Maximum suggested admission per family is $10. For information, phone (847) 475-1030. On the Net: www.mitchellmuseum.org.

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of natsilv.