Walking into the new “Creations of Spirit” exhibit at the High Desert Museum, you are instantly greeted with soft lighting, sounds of nature and the tender voices of Native American artists, proudly displaying their works. Artists from several local Native tribes are represented in this original, multi-dimensional exhibit and whether it’s a Native ceremonial dress, an instrument, woven baskets or a handmade river canoe – here is a deep emotional history in all of them.
Through years of planning and curating, this exhibit stems from the partnerships between Native American artists and institutions like The Museum at Warm Springs and The Smithsonian in Washington D.C. “Through learning from our Indigenous partners about the nature of these cultural items—they’re imbued with the spirit of their maker and fulfilling their ongoing purpose when connected to and in use by communities—we started thinking about an exhibition that shares these perspectives,” says Dana Whitelaw, PhD, Executive Director for the High Desert Museum.
Through long-time partnerships with these High Desert Native communities, we have learned that art is more than objects put on display. Art is alive and objects are tied to purpose for these communities and their people.
The High Desert Museum retains around 29,000 items in their collection with about 7,000 of those items from area tribes. With new, original pieces commissioned for this “Creations of Spirit” exhibit from High Desert Native artists, this exhibit offers visitors an immersion experience, “reflecting knowledge systems of tribes along the Columbia River and its tributaries,” according to Heidi Hagemeier, High Desert Museum Communications Director. When this exhibit closes later this year, these newly commissioned pieces will continue to be available for Native communities to access.
“We’re so fortunate to have amazing Native artists participating in Creations of Spirit, all from the High Desert Plateau region. The new, original works are supplemented with cultural items from our collection and nine objects on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). The artists chose the additional cultural items, and we are honored to have the work from the NMAI back in the Plateau region. All the additional pieces were chosen in consultation with the exhibition artists,” says Whitelaw.
Along with graphic designer Ben Calabaza and filmmaker LaRonn Katchia, the seven artists represented in this exhibition are Joe Feddersen (Colville), RYAN! Feddersen (Colville), Natalie Kirk (Warm Springs), H’Klumaiyat Roberta Joy Kirk (Wasco, Warm Springs, Diné), Phillip Cash Cash, Ph.D (Cayuse, Warm Springs), Jefferson Greene (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs) and Kelli Palmer (Wasco, Warm Springs).
Each original piece of art is displayed with a portrait of the artist, along with the story of their own journey through the creation process, including information about the materials used and their meanings. With intention, through audio, video and written word, each artist is highlighted as much as their artwork. Like a river taking you on a journey to the past, the voices and sounds of the exhibit ebb and flow through this unique exhibit, gently bringing you to the center of the gallery featuring a large-scale interactive piece of art.
The High Desert Museum is committed to sharing stories about the first peoples of the High Desert region through art, culture, science and history, often combining these subjects together into interdisciplinary exhibit experiences that are meant to teach visitors about the Native tribes of the High Desert and the land we all call home.
“Sharing Native American art and knowledge has long been part of the Museum’s efforts and will continue,” says Whitelaw.
The “Creations of Spirit” exhibit will be on display at High Desert Museum through October 1.
HighDesertMuseum.org
Through long-time partnerships with these High Desert Native communities...we have learned that their art is alive, and objects are tied to purpose for these communities and their people.