On Sunday, April 28, visitors enjoyed a one-of-a-kind tour and conversation with artist, Frohawk Two Feathers as he discussed his inspirations and narrative behind the spring exhibition, Frohawk Two Feathers: You Can Fall: The War of the Mourning Arrows (An Introduction to the Americas and A Requiem for Willem Ferdinand). Known for his playful reimagining of 18th century history, his art reflects the past and the present and provides a fresh spin on colonialism, imperialism and racism.
Visitors were able to view over a dozen intricate portraits, maps, flags, and additional artifacts with Two Feathers on hand to explain every detail, including how he used friends and colleagues to pose for his character portraits and the symbolism behind his complex and highly detailed tattoo system. He also shared his unusual techniques involving acrylic on deerskin and the multifaceted process of staining the paintings with coffee and tea.
A historian, musician and poet, Frohawk Two Feathers (Umar Rashid) considers himself first and foremost, a storyteller and enjoys bringing his characters to life in art. In presenting one example, The Death of Jacoulet, he stated, “I tell all my subjects, you may not make it to the next exhibition!” As he demonstrated in various portraits, some characters do survive so that they may reemerge in future exhibitions and continue the “historical narrative.”
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On view through June 30, the exhibition will travel to the Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Hamilton College in September.
Join us for our next Art Afternoon coming this fall.
