Artists (selection)
Nicholas Galanin *1979
Tlingit/Aleuten
Nicholas Galanin was born in Sitka, Alaska, in 1979. He was apprentice to his father Dave Galanin, his uncle Will Burkhardt, and other traditional Northwest Coast artists. From 2000 to 2003 he attended the London Guildhall University where he specialized in jewelry design and silversmithing. Shortly afterwards he came across a study program that suited his artistic interests even better: from 2004 to 2007, he studied Indigenous Visual Arts at the Massey University in New Zealand. Afterwards he returned to Sitka. Galanin uses various media, ranging from sculpture to video art. His works are represented in numerous American museums. Galanin is also involved in the music scene. He is co-founder of the popular Home Skillet Music Festival in Sitka and recently released It’s Glimmering Now, his second CD.
I work with concepts, the medium follows. In the business of this "Indian Art World" I have become impatient with the institutional prescription and its monolithic attempt to define culture as it unfolds. Native American Art will not be commonly defined as our work moves freely through time. The viewer, collector, or curators' definition often conveys more about themselves than that of the "Native Artist". In the past I have struggled with this title, though I now embrace my position as a contemporary indigenous artist with belief that some forms of resistance often carry equal amounts of persistence. My current collection of work presents visual experiences in hope of inspiring creative dialogue with the viewer. I work with an intention to contribute towards contemporary cultural development. Through education and creative risk taking I hope to progress cultural awareness. (Nicholas Galanin)
