Yuxweluptun’s Neo-Native Style
Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, of Coast Salish heritage, is a Vancouver-based purveyor of politically activist indigenous art. His latest work was on exhibit at Macaulay Fine Art, Vancouver, in a solo show, Indian World. In vivid colors, he merges traditional native iconography with statements about aboriginal issues – from the environment to land claims. His political roots come partly from his father, a founder of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. His style has been called neo-Native. (Above: New Chiefs on the Land)
My work is very different from traditional art work. How do you paint a land claim? You can’t carve a totem pole that has a beer bottle on it . . . I paint this for what it is – a very toxic land base. This is what my ancestral motherland is becoming. -From National Gallery of Canada notes for the painting Shaman Coming to Fix (above).
Money, Power, Greed
The Impending Nisga’a Deal. Last Stand. Chump Change.
Killer Whale Has a Vision. Comes to Talk to Me about Proximological Encroachments of Civilizations in the Oceans
Red Man Watching White Man Trying to Fix Hole in Sky (Below: the artist, from Montecristo Magazine)
See more on his website, here.
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Brett
Freaky and cool — there’s obviously a very vibrant art scene among Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest. Love the patterns also.
boomerontario
Great word, freaky. And you’re right about the patterns. Interesting.
Resa McConaghy
A great “statement” Artist, I love Killer Whale, and in as much as they are scary, the men in the suits made me laugh!
boomerontario
Yep, killer whale does it for me too. The messages are loud and clear.
anngrafics
The dudes in suits kind of scare me, but I especially love the whale has a vision – I do love all the designs and bright colors.
boomerontario
I’m getting to the point where I can’t wait to see what you have to say!! Great comment on the dudes in suits. I bet that’s exactly what he intended.
anngrafics
🙂
Molecules of Emotion
Very interesting take on modern native art, Canada’s answer to Picasso!
boomerontario
That’s an interesting comparison. True. The surrealistic underlay is very intriguing.