Masked Heroes: Winged Beings - First American Art Magazine

The virtual exhibition, Masked Heroes: Facial Coverings by Native Artists, is organized by themes based on subject matter and materials. Masks in the Winged Beings category feature bird, flying insect, and wing imagery or are made with feathers.

Pilar Agoyo (Ohkay Owingeh/Cochiti/Kewa Pueblos), "Protection," cotton ripstop, printed cotton, plastic spikes, white grosgrain ribbon. Judge’s Choice: Kelly Church
Michelle Tsosie Sisneros (Santa Clara Pueblo), "Dragon Fly Dreams," cotton linen fabric mask, hand-painted with acrylic paint, designed and sewn by the artist.
Margaret Riley Santhanam (Choctaw/Chickasaw), "Sukie," cotton twine, turkey feathers. This mask is inspired by the textiles of my Southeastern Woodlands ancestors. I used cotton twine in place of the dogbane, nettle, or pawpaw fiber they might have used.
Samantha Page McDaniel (Eastern Band Cherokee), "Safe to Fly," vintage cotton print appliqué, cotton, aluminum wire, nylon elastic, polyester thread. Functional mask with double-layer of fabric and pocket for an optional filter. Washable.
Katrina Mitten (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma), "You May Not Kiss The Bride," white flannel duckbill-style mask with cotton binding. Organza pouf flowers individually made and sewn down with crystal bead centers. Gold fabric feathers added as accent. Judge’s Choice: heather ahtone
Georgina Medina (Tulalip Tribes), "Tribal Affiliation," teal and tribal 100% cotton design.
Brenda L. Mahan (Koyukon Athabascan), "Attitude," wool, felt, size 11° and 15° seed beads. In January 2019, I learned what the white ribbon stood for when my husband, Roy, was diagnosed with lung cancer. The raven represents the Celtic/Norse warrior and Alaska Native trickster. The trinity knot represents the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When cancer came into our lives, my husband's will to live—really live—has taken command, hence, ATTITUDE!
Denise Lajimodiere (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), "'Her' Blue Bird Flour Sack Mask." The words "Nutrition Facts" are positioned on one edge, and "Intended use: This is not a ready to eat product" on the other. My granddaughter is Navajo, and I picked up the flour sacks at her wedding last summer in Window Rock.
Denise Lajimodiere (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), "'His' Blue Bird Flour Sack Mask." The words "Nutrition Facts" are positioned on one edge, and "Total Carbohydrates" on the other edge. My granddaughter is Navajo, and I picked up the flour sacks at her wedding last summer in Window Rock.
Valarie Harris (Hopi/Tohono O’odham), "Hopi Spring," white background, cotton fabrics with nylon elastic, filter pocket. Flowers, hummingbirds, and water. All represent life's renewal, beauty, and cleansing of ourselves and the earth.
Sue Herne (Akwesasne Mohawk), "Clear Skies," cloth, interfacing, glass beads, deerskin, turkey feathers. The lining is water print. This mask is based on the action of condolence that is foundational to our culture as Haudenosaunee. Every time that grief comes to us, we are helped. The clearer skies that have come about due to the virus are a gift that we should keep in our minds as we go into the future.
Cathy Cordry (Rosebud Sioux Tribe), "Old Medicine," unbleached muslin, fabric, glass beads, feathers, embroidery floss, and acrylic paint.
Renee Cleveland (Navajo), "Prayers for Life (Warrior Prayers)," 9-by-7 inch, prewashed cotton fabric (adult large), 12-inch shoelaces (ties), medium paper clip (nose grip), thread, ruler, scissor, clamps to hold folds while sewing.
Loretta Hoagland (Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth) and Destani Hoagland (Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth), "Eagle Mask," cotton printed fabric, Pellon filter interface in center, and elastic band rope for comfort on the ears. We will continue making these from now on.

3 Comments

Georgina medina on April 28, 2020 5:20 am

I just want to raise my hands to all of you and commend everyone on their artistic abilities. Lots of creativity and passion went into these. GREAT JOB!!! (W.A. Tulalip Tribal member) Osium (thank you 🤲)

Cara Whiting on May 3, 2020 11:53 pm

If the exhibit is viewed on a android device the description covers the mask !! Difficult to see the whole display. Is it different on a computer?

- faazine on May 4, 2020 3:08 am
  
  If you click on the image, the text will disappear. Also, you can access completely images from the links under the artists’ names on the main page.

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