Altars of Reconciliation | Exhibition Statement
Why would Native Americans believe in the religion of the invaders? This is a question the artists in this exhibition have been confronted with many times. As Indigenous people who are Christians, we sense a deep paradox when asked this question.
Why DO we believe in the Gospel of the invaders, the so-called “white man’s religion?” This is the internal struggle that Altars of Reconciliation chooses to address. Told within the context of a history of deeply ingrained Christian practice among generations of Native peoples, we face the tensions created in our lives by the faith we practice. Through this work, viewers experience contemporary, Native-themed ‘altarpieces’ of sacred art, personal in their stories but universal in their struggle with eternal questions.
Our intent for this show specifically is to explore a theme rarely confronted in the art world: the practice of Christianity among Native peoples. There is and continues to be a long, rich and layered history of Native churches and Christian tradition, but there is an equally long sense of tension and conflict among tribal peoples about questions of faith. Often framed as a ‘Christian vs. Traditionalist’ dichotomy, the real story is not nearly so clear-cut. By facing our own faith struggles and transformations through these ‘altarpieces,’ our desire is to bring about healthy discussion and awareness of how Christianity has played a historic (and continuing) role among our Native peoples, and in the bigger picture, to engage people in thinking about the role of faith in their own lives.
Artist Statements | Erin Shaw, Tony A. Tiger, Bobby C. Martin
Erin Shaw
My name is Erin Shaw.
I am a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a seventh-generation follower of Jesus. As long as I can remember, I’ve had one foot in two worlds. It’s been the work of my life to live in that tension and as best I can, understand and reconcile it.
I am a collector of stories and have been since I was a child. I can remember finding these stories behind the old Native American schoolhouse on our family land, on the bus to Sunday school and in countless books. Some of these stories are deeply embedded in the fabric of who I am. They are the raw material from which I’ve built my life.
As I’ve sought to understand what it means to be Native American, I’ve discovered that being Indian is not in opposition to my faith. My faith is enriched, deepened and more whole because I am Native American.
I am a living altar of reconciliation.
Erin Shaw
May 2022
Tony A. Tiger
The art for Altars of Reconciliation began to take shape long before I ever decided to create art. My tribal ancestry of the Muscogee Creek, Seminole, and Sac and Fox tribes has given my existence a powerful narrative that predates America. My family has been drawn to the message of the gospel before Oklahoma’s statehood, the generations after me have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. My life is fueled by the belief that human beings are more than mere reflections in a mirror; we are soul and spirit. I am thankful to have found my calling as an artist, with mindful colleagues in Erin Shaw and Bobby C. Martin to express our Christian faith through Altars of Reconciliation.
I enjoy working in series, moving from series to series keeps me engaged. I found I get a little bored if I don’t change art forms. I may work on five or more pieces at one time, and move from painting to printmaking and three-dimensional conceptual work within a short time span. One of the series in Altars of Reconciliation is titled The Grand Weaver after a book I read by the late Ravi Zacharias. The content of the book best expresses the narrative of the interweaving of time, place and influences that God can direct in an individual’s life. The series utilizes the interweaving of printmaking media on paper—etched photographs, serigraphy, relief, and hand-colored stencils of tribal designs. The pieces narrate the story of my transformation and the members of my family as indigenous believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Another series in the exhibition explores identity. Superimposed Identity is a series of paintings that have superimposed designs covering the picture plane with brilliantly painted abstract color combinations. The paintings communicate the wonder and complexity of identity—nationality, gender, cultural beliefs, and ethnicity. It’s no wonder human relationships are challenging. The Almighty has created humankind as complex, wonderful creatures to respond to life, to respond to Him. Christ is our example when related to each other—He alone knows how to meet our deepest need to know. He has answered life’s great unknowns and given peace to the chaos in our soul—how we got here, why we are here and where we are going. Scriptures from the Bible have satisfied my soul. History says I should not be a Christian, my soul says rest. Those who employed Christian organizations and churches as a means to end tribalism in North America did so without a true knowledge and faith in its Author. The paintings look chaotic at first glance, but look closer and you will see there is order amidst the chaos.
The third series represented in the exhibition, Transformation, is inspired by the metamorphic process of the beautiful butterflies that crisscross my backyard in Oklahoma. Each artwork encompasses the transformational process of certain species—from egg, larvae to adulthood. Each piece has three panels—two painted, one wrapped with printed paper. The small painted top panel represents the caterpillar, the wrapped paper depicts the chrysalis, and the largest panel symbolizes the flight of the butterfly. We can observe life-enhancing metaphors and symbols in nature that are for humanity’s benefit, if one is able to see. Muskoke and Woodland designs are interwoven into the series of conceptual pieces, reminding the viewer that every tribe and people are created in the image of God. Many Indigenous cultures believe in Creator God, and the Transformation series is a testament to the creative wonder of the Almighty, and the love He has for humanity. As an Indigenous North American I have good reason to hate those whose policies and actions removed my ancestors from tribal homelands and wiped out whole tribes for their benefit—but because I have allowed Christ to save me and transform me, I am reconciled to God and humanity.
Mvto,
Tony A. Tiger
Bobby C. Martin
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God.
II Corinthians 5:19-20
As far back as I can remember, the Mvskoke side of my family has been deeply immersed in Native Baptist churches. Our family had a camphouse at Deep Fork Hillabee Baptist Church near Checotah, Oklahoma, and some of my earliest memories are of Easter celebrations and Sunday feeds under the church arbor. Somewhere in my later childhood, that strand was broken—only to be reconnected much later by my coming to faith in Jesus Christ as an adult.
While there is no denying that many horrific trials were inflicted on my ancestors in the name of Christ, that to me has no relation to the true and very real teachings of Christianity. The power, mercy and peace that comes from faith in a person, Jesus Christ, who came to take away the sin of the world is a compelling personal experience that transcends cultural boundaries and tradition. Added to that, knowing that I share that same faith with my ancestors only deepens the meaning and love for our Creator God.
I have been blessed to have been surrounded and supported by strong women throughout my life. The people in these drawings are my spiritual icons—not icons that I worship, but ones that I remember fondly as faithfully looking out for my spiritual well-being, whether I knew it or not. These ‘icons’ are dedicated to my grannies and aunties who were faithful in praying for their families, thankfully including me. My goal is to follow their pattern for my own children and grandchildren. My foremost desire through these artworks is for our meager efforts to be a fragrant offering to our Creator, and also to bring about healthy discussion and awareness of how Christianity has played a historic (and continuing) role among our Native peoples, in order to engage viewers in thinking about the role of faith in their own lives.
Bobby C. Martin
Martin Mountain Studio
May 2022