Frank LaPena Tribute Lecture
On the evening of March 5, I attended the tribute lecture to Frank LaPena. Native American contemporary artists Spencer Keeton Cunningham and Richard Bluecloud Castaneda spoke about LaPena as well as their past and current artworks.
The artists stated how LaPena played a major role in creating a powerful movement of contemporary art in California. This movement inspired later artists like themselves to create artwork that responds to past and current problems among Native American communities such as environmental issues or issues of personal identity.
The messages that Cunningham and Castaneda communicate in their artworks are very eye opening. Some of the issues they discussed were issues that I was not familiar with. For example, Cunningham's Shark Fin Soup: New Zealand mural focuses on the problem of shark fins being cut off to be used in soup. Once their fins are cut off, their helpless bodies are then dumped back into ocean. Cunningham's mural creates a protest against this cruel act. Two sharks are shown on land cultivating human culture with human clothes and cups of fin soup, however, they are also meant to threaten humans with the Mowry clubs they hold behind their backs. Most of Cunningham's works like this are a response to environmental issues. His travels and documentation everything happening that happens around him helps spread awareness of environmental issues going on globally.
Castaneda's artworks focus more on finding his Native identity. He discussed his use of photography to try and establish his identity. He described how he felt alone and underrepresented as he did not know many other Native Americans, let alone Native American artists. He also explained how he had been told he does not look Native American, but rather Mexican or Filipino. Experiences like this made Castaneda question who he was as a man, which inspired his work. His art began with what he looked like, and he became self-invested with his culture by looking at pictures of his ancestors. Works like Historical Selfie combine Castaneda's recent photos with older photographs of Native Americans. The juxtapositions between the photographs allows him to compare physicality with his ancestors. He does not overlay images to compare lips or eyes, but to demonstrate what Native Americans look like.
Castaneda also explained how issues like this allow Native American artists to use their skills to communicate their situation to the world. He notes that it is not about getting ahead, but letting people know about indigenous traumas that are currently happening.
To watch Cunningham's video on Canadian pipelines visit: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9CzDRXA56y/
Both artists cover issues in their works that most people do not acknowledge, especially non-Native Americans like myself. This lecture helped expose significant issues going on in their communities. Their ability to spread awareness through their art is really amazing. Sending their messages to the public and working together is exactly what LaPena's curatorial work promoted.
 |
| Audience at the Frank LaPena tribute lecture by Spencer Keeton Cunningham and Richard Bluecloud Castaneda in the University Library Annex |
The artists stated how LaPena played a major role in creating a powerful movement of contemporary art in California. This movement inspired later artists like themselves to create artwork that responds to past and current problems among Native American communities such as environmental issues or issues of personal identity.
Cunningham
 |
| Spencer Keeton Cunningham, Shark Fin Soup: New Zealand, public mural, 2015 |
The messages that Cunningham and Castaneda communicate in their artworks are very eye opening. Some of the issues they discussed were issues that I was not familiar with. For example, Cunningham's Shark Fin Soup: New Zealand mural focuses on the problem of shark fins being cut off to be used in soup. Once their fins are cut off, their helpless bodies are then dumped back into ocean. Cunningham's mural creates a protest against this cruel act. Two sharks are shown on land cultivating human culture with human clothes and cups of fin soup, however, they are also meant to threaten humans with the Mowry clubs they hold behind their backs. Most of Cunningham's works like this are a response to environmental issues. His travels and documentation everything happening that happens around him helps spread awareness of environmental issues going on globally.
Castaneda
 |
| Richard Bluecloud Castaneda, Historical Selfie |
Castaneda's artworks focus more on finding his Native identity. He discussed his use of photography to try and establish his identity. He described how he felt alone and underrepresented as he did not know many other Native Americans, let alone Native American artists. He also explained how he had been told he does not look Native American, but rather Mexican or Filipino. Experiences like this made Castaneda question who he was as a man, which inspired his work. His art began with what he looked like, and he became self-invested with his culture by looking at pictures of his ancestors. Works like Historical Selfie combine Castaneda's recent photos with older photographs of Native Americans. The juxtapositions between the photographs allows him to compare physicality with his ancestors. He does not overlay images to compare lips or eyes, but to demonstrate what Native Americans look like.
How does one find others in their community?
Castaneda stated that finding people within your community that share the same backgrounds or issues as you can be difficult. In order to do so, you just have to put yourself out there. In his case, he sent out flyers about a group he tried to form in order to gain more representation among his community. He said that it is easier to connect with others in one's community as we now have social media to interact with.Canadian Pipelines
Another important issue that both artists spoke about was the Canadian pipeline protests. They explained the violent acts against indigenous people in Canada in their efforts to protect their land. A video that Cunningham put together showcases the violence inflicted upon Native Americans by authorities. It is devastating and shocking how Native Americans are still treated this way today. The video also highlights their continued struggle to gain rights.Castaneda also explained how issues like this allow Native American artists to use their skills to communicate their situation to the world. He notes that it is not about getting ahead, but letting people know about indigenous traumas that are currently happening.
To watch Cunningham's video on Canadian pipelines visit: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9CzDRXA56y/
Both artists cover issues in their works that most people do not acknowledge, especially non-Native Americans like myself. This lecture helped expose significant issues going on in their communities. Their ability to spread awareness through their art is really amazing. Sending their messages to the public and working together is exactly what LaPena's curatorial work promoted.
 |
| Spencer Keeton Cunningham (left), me (middle), and Richard Bluecloud Castaneda (right) |
It was very well written and I love how you discussed their works.
ReplyDelete