2025 Spring IAIA Graduating Senior Exhibition, Rooted Voices
This is an exhibition representing the culminating achievements of the spring graduating BFA in Studio Arts students. The following images are the efforts of Kayla Wanatee in her theme of "Responsibility of Culture"
This work holds close the theme of responsibility of culture. In life we are taught by many people about what values we hold high, and they instill our society's morals in us to be functioning members of our communities. In Indigenous culture it is then our duty to pass on those teachings to the next generations.
My work references to the privilege of being raised in a traditional Indigenous home surrounded by culture, and the responsibility of teaching the traditions and culture to the next generation and the people who want to learn. The installation allows viewers to be part of the timeline that is created with each piece, in the intentional placement of the work allowing them to be both teacher and child. Putting viewers in a place that considers their position in life (their own learning/understanding), thinking about how to guide the next generations but also thinking of their teachers. Traditional Indigenous knowledge is meant to be shared to allow Tribes to flourish. With this thought I include the Creator as the ultimate teacher, guiding us as sure as the sun shines. In my pieces a conversation occurs that directly speaks of a person's relationship with the ones who taught them, the ones they will teach and ultimately their duties as Future Ancestors. I work to remind people that we are our Ancestors’ every dream and prayer, now It’s our turn to dream and pray for the ones who descend from us.
In Loving Memory of
Myron I. Wanatee Sr. & Carmen M. (Lasley)Wanatee