Museum of Contemporary Native Arts presents Four Native Artists Solo Exhibitions

Monica Whitepigeon in Entertainment. Discussion »

SANTA FE – On August 16th, the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico will host four solo exhibitions that delve into juxtaposition, identity and meaning.

Three of the four artists present are alumni from the Institute of American Indian Arts: Debra Yepa-Pappan, Mateo Romero, and Jeff Kahm. The fourth artist is filmmaker Billy Luther.

Debra Yepa-Pappan, Jemez Pueblo

Dual(ing) Identities: The Work of Debra Yepa-Pappan, will be her first solo show. Debra Yepa-Pappan, Jemez Pueblo, is a multimedia photo-manipulator, her techniques combine inkjet photos with other found mediums to create images that are both jarring and inspiring. Many of her pieces have included both traditional native imagery mixed with pop culture symbolism. Currently residing in Chicago, Yepa-Pappan is very proud of her Jemez and Korean backgrounds and often reflects such influences throughout her art.

“I'm honored to be showing at the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts and I'm very grateful to Ryan Rice and Delana Joy Farley, my curator, for giving me this opportunity to share my story and to share my experience of being mixed Asian/Native American,”

says Yepa-Pappan.

Jeff Kahm, Plains Cree, a current instructor at Institute of American Indian Arts, will explore geometric structures in different compositional variations in his show entitled Vernacular. Kahm is known for incorporating all cultures influences in various geometric styles and symbols throughout his work. He has studied photography and painting and received his MFA from the University of Alberta.

Red Meridian is the exhibition of Mateo Romero (Cochiti Pueblo), who also delves into the idea of mixing traditional symbolism against pop-like imagery to create new meanings. His works borrow loosely from the ideology of neo-tribalism presented by Vine Deloria. Romero has a master's of fine arts degree in printmaking from the University of New Mexico.

Billy Luther, Navajo/Hopi/Laguna Pueblo, is a filmmaker and will screen his 2011 Sundance selected documentary Grab. The film focuses on the Laguna Pueblo feast day ritual of handing out food and such throughout the community.

The opening reception for the shows will begin at 5 pm on August 16th and will continue to be showcased until December 31st. Admission fees vary from $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (62+), New Mexico residents and students. Admission is FREE for museum members, American Indians, veterans and youth, who are16 and younger.

All are welcome to come and support these Native artists.

WHAT:
Artist Reception

WHEN:
Thursday, August 16
Doors open at 5 pm

WHERE:
Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
108 Cathedral Place
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

updated August 15, 2012 11:50 am edt; posted August 13, 2012 8:50 am edt