“Her Art Speaks for Itself “
First Nations Woman Artist is part of UN Indigenous Exhibit:

By B.Brookes

As a child, indigenous artist Christine Caluya remembers travelling to Pow Wow’s with her father all over the country. “I have vivid memories of those times with my father and those memories come out in my artwork, especially in my piece displayed at the United Nations Exhibit entitled ‘They Sing Together’”, explains Christine. “When I was growing up I taught Pow Wow dancing at the Detroit Indian Education & Cultural Center. My father Teofilo Lucero influenced me in traditional arts such as beadwork, quillwork and regalia making. In my art today, I incorporate these traditional teachings into a contemporary form of art.”

Originally from Walpole Island, First Nations, with heritage that is Ojibwa and Taos Pueblo, Christine Caluya now resides and works on her art in Syracuse, New York. Christine’s artwork is now being displayed as part of the exhibit, Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Culture, at the United Nations Main Gallery. The exhibit presented in conjunction with the UN’s Eighth Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, consists of artworks, tapestries, paintings, photographs and handicrafts created by contemporary indigenous artists.

The artwork “They Sing Together,” shows five men figures singing near a drum, all conveyed in a subtle watercolor palette of pastel colors and blocked out shapes. Done in a monotype technique, the piece is evidence of the love for the printing process that Christine has mastered in her career. The monotype process involves painting the image in water color on Plexiglass and then transferring the image to printmaking paper thru an intaglio printing press. The final print comes out in color on paper.

Christine’s current artwork processes include the use of the monotype, wood cuts, and linoleum block prints. When asked about her artistic choice of process Christine explains, “I usually start with a memory or idea which I sketch down in a series of quick thumbnail sketches. I draw with quick gestures and then later focus on the transfer process of printmaking. Art helps keep my mind occupied.”

Painting and drawing since a child, Christine always loved to draw. Christine explains, “My mother was an artist, and now my daughter Lily is picking up the pencils and paints as well.” Christine attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she began her studies in accounting and then after some reflection on her life’s interests, she changed her focus of study to that of Fine Arts.

Reviewing the pieces in Christine’s portfolio, one can see a delicate use of color and shape to define an emotional memory. “Creator puts the memories and images in my head; singers, dancers, Pow Wows, children, like my son Gabriel, when he was singing…I try to capture those moments in my art”, Christine explains, while reviewing her watercolor prints.

Recently the UN hosted the artist’s reception where Christine was in attendance and had the opportunity to see the works of fellow artists and indigenous people from around the world. Fellow indigenous artists America Meredith and Chris Pappan had artwork displayed and others like award winning black-ash basket maker Kelly Church. The reception which was opened by Jean-Pierre Gonnot, Acting Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development in the Department of Social and Economic Affairs, and Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, highlighted indigenous musical artists from Australia, Canada, Russian Federation and the United States and created an atmosphere where artists and UN speakers could easily mix and share insights into their artworks or their social initiatives.

The artist’s formal ceremony and reception which occurred on Tuesday, May 19th provided a platform for Christine and fellow artists to discuss the importance of support for the arts in the indigenous community. “There could and should be more support in regards to artists grants and scholarships in the indigenous community. These activities are an integral part of our living and quality of life.” The exhibition runs until June 30th and is located in the United Nations Main gallery of the Visitors Lobby.

Organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information in cooperation with the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Tribal Link Foundation and the NGO Committee on the United Nations International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the exhibit provides a stunning non-verbal match to The Eighth Annual Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues occurring at the same time.

For more information on the beautiful and delicate artworks by Indigenous artist, Christine Caluya, please visit her web page at http://www.sweetgrasswoman.com.