Name/Title
Waabigwan Composition (study)Entry/Object ID
2023.19.01Description
Native Art Department International is a Canadian artist collective and collaborative project between wife-and-husband artists Maria Hupfield (b. 1975) and Jason Lujan (b. 1971). The project started while the artists were living in New York as a way of bringing attention to Indigenous artists across Canada and the United States, and supporting the decolonization of the arts by "allowing Native artists to represent themselves in any way they want today." Native Art Department International develops exhibitions, artist talks, collaborative artworks, videos, websites, and other platforms for artists and creative individuals to present and develop their practices together.
Both Hupfield and Lujan have used their reputations to create opportunities for other artists. Hupfield is of Ojibwe descent and a member of the Wasauksing First Nation. Born in Parry Sound, Ontario, she is known for her feminist performances that reference oral history and contemporary Indigenous issues. Jason Lujan is a Chiricahua Apache and Mexican. Originally from Marfa, Texas, Lujan's artistic practice is based around his personal experiences with racism and other issues facing indigenous communities. His work aims to challenge the stereotypes of Indigenous peoples.
Waabigwan Composition (study) draws inspiration from the aesthetics and style of the late Norval Morrisseau. The artist's illustrate the long legacy of Indigenous artists who have set the groundwork for newer generations while also pointing out the types of aesthetics that have defined Indigenous art. Hupfield and Lujan make clear that certain styles and practices have been highly valued by western audiences and, at times, have limited the creative growth of young artists trying to present new ideas in the market.Made/Created
Artist
Native Art Department InternationalDate made
2022Dimensions
Height
40.64 cmWidth
30.48 cm