THREE ARTISTS REFLECT ON THEIR COMMUNITY, UPBRINGING
By Molly Ann Howell
Managing Editor
Each year, gallupARTS presents a show that coincides with the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial and often features the Gallup community.
This year’s theme, «History in the Making,» showcases 22 artists whose work is inspired by the Gallup area.
“The show’s always really exciting because it’s always a great mix of artists in terms of style and media, and there’s always some artists who have never shown with us or never shown at all,” gallupARTS Executive Director Rose Eason said in an interview with the Sun.
The Sun sat down with three of the featured artists and asked them about the pieces they chose.
FIRST TIME IN A GALLERY
Adam Shorty had never shown his artwork in a gallery before. He began painting in middle school after a visiting artist inspired him. Years later, during a low point in his life, his wife encouraged him to begin selling his paintings at the Gallup Flea Market.
Three and a half years later, Shorty’s paintings can now be found in locations all over the world, including Australia, Japan, Seattle, and New York City.
“My paintings are very vibrant and colorful, they have stories,” he said. “That’s one thing I learned about painting, I need to put a story into it.”
Almost all of Shorty’s paintings have stories behind them. One piece he chose for the gallery depicts his father-in-law eating a sheep’s head. Shorty said that the moment his father-in-law walked in one day and announced he was going to eat the sheep head, he immediately saw the story and got to work on the painting.
RESPECT FOR MOTHER EARTH
Shundiin Nakai grew up on the Navajo Nation, and didn’t realize how much art surrounds the Gallup community. She wasn’t aware of all the galleries and artistic opportunities around town until she herself entered one of the shows about a year and a half ago.
For the «History in the Making» showcase, Nakai decided to create a mosaic, an art form she first explored in high school. She developed a true passion for mosaics while interning for Apprenticeships for Leaders in Mosaic Arts, an Albuquerque non-profit she has now worked with for 10 years.
To create a mosaic, the artist arranges small pieces of materials like stone, glass, or ceramic onto a surface and secures them with adhesive and grout.
Nakai’s piece for the “History in the Making” showcase depicts Mother Earth placing her hand on the planet.
“I wanted to show my reverence that I have for Mother Earth and the respect I was taught by my grandparents to have for Mother Earth,” she said.
COMBINING TRADITION AND THE MODERN AGE
Jaycee Custer created two necklaces for the showcase: one is based on a traditional Navajo concho belt, and the other he describes as a piece that represents himself.
“In my work specifically I try to balance my traditional upbringing with the urban society that we are constantly submerged in,” he said. “In my work I try to find a harmony between them. That necklace that kind of represents myself kind of has both elements, the past and future.”
Having grown up watching his silversmith father, Custer says that working on his own jewelry brings him a sense of peace reminiscent of his upbringing.
“My favorite part about making jewelry is the concentration part of it,” he said. “I find peace when I’m just like super into my work. I find a space where nothing else matters, and I just kind of fall into that zone.”
Anyone can check out the “History in the Making” showcase at the ART123 gallery, located at 123 W. Coal Ave., until it closes Sept. 6. The ART123 Gallery is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 2 pm – 6 pm, and Saturdays from 12 pm – 6 pm.
