TRENDING TUESDAY | NATIVE AWARENESS

Native American history has been readily collected and can be seen within many of the nation's museums, however it remains a minority of information. Furthermore, contemporary Native American artists are even less exhibited within the larger sphere.

However, multiple projects have begun to bring awareness to major Native American artists from all over the United States. This past fall, Form & Concept in Santa Fe featured a small exhibition in conjunction with Albuquerque's popular event, "Indigenous Comic Con". Highlighted works from an institution known as the Zuni Pueblo school, comics and illustrations were created by both students and teachers alike. In an effort to share and illustrate their cultural and visual languages, the Zuni Pueblo school attempts to build and foster their creative community. For this project, students worked alongside teachers and created Native American superheroes such as Mega Bear and Super Indian. These comics feature their adventures, but also call into question stereotypes, identity, and community as well as specifically touching on contemporary political conflicts.

With an overwhelmingly positive reaction, the three day event brought large crowds and enthusiasm. The first of its kind, the Zuni Pueblo project and the Indigenous Comic Con brought to the forefront singular work that efficiently shared a piece of contemporary culture that is rarely seen.

Portland Art Museum is similarly providing a unique contemporary experience with Native American culture. In 2015, they opened a new permanent gallery, the Center for Contemporary Native Art, which features two rotating exhibitions annually and collaborates with local and national working artists to create exhibitions that examine, interpret, and showcase the cultural community. Along with its overall mission to coalesce the past and present, Portland Art Museum hopes to further the aim to integrate more contemporary Native art into the larger art world.

With the United States eye slowly turning away from the Dakota Access Pipeline and its continuing struggle, it is important to pursue awareness of the Native American culture, community, and the ongoing conflicts that they will continue to face.