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Arts Intel Report

Hold to This Earth: Works by Contemporary Indigenous North American Artists from Tia Collection

Marie Watt, Skywalker/Skyscraper (Twins) Flint & Sapling, 2020.

Until Apr 18, 2027

When it comes to Indigenous communities, the earth is not just the ground beneath one’s feet. Rather, it is a living, breathing entity. Likewise, clay, wool, and stone are not just materials of art, they are an emotional connective tissue to the natural world. Because rights of ownership are not uncommon when it comes to these lands, Indigenous artists often find themselves responding to complex historical relationships and colonial forces. This exhibition at Yorkshire Sculpture Park presents 65 works by 38 Indigenous artists, highlighting those dedicated to reaching their ancestral roots through a contemporary lens. The first gallery reflects the tactile relationship to land, the next addresses artistic activism in the protection of sacred sites, and the last presents traditional materials used in new ways. Featured artists include Tyrrell Tapaha, a sixth generation weaver; Raven Chacon; and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. —Maggie Turner

Image courtesy of Marie Watt Studio and MARC STRAUS, New York