Post by Moon Seeker on Jun 5, 2009 11:15:07 GMT -5
Honoring ancestry: Winona artist featured in American Indian art show
By KÄRI KNUTSON | kknutson@winonadailynews.com
They start out as organic clay, but the American Indian portrait dolls Linda Duran creates end up looking real.
The twinkle in the eye of a young man, the wrinkles in a grandmother’s skin, the peaceful expression on a sleeping baby’s face.
All are modeled after people Duran knows or has come to know in photographs or paintings.
“Faces come naturally to me,” Duran said.
Her work is part of an exhibit featuring three other American Indian women at the Blue Heron Gallery & Studio, 168 E. Third St. A reception for the artists is from 7 to 9:30 p.m. tonight to coincide with the sixth annual Great Dakota Homecoming and Gathering on Saturday and Sunday at East Lake Winona’s Unity Park.
Also featured are ledger art by Linda Haukaas, beaded moccasins by Ramona Stately Kitto and paintings by JoAnne Bird, who created the Spirit of Winona sculpture for Unity Park.
Duran grew up in Winona. She was inspired by the Aleut Indians while living in Alaska from 1990 to 2004 where. A year ago, she opened Little Wenonah, a children’s clothing consignment shop, named after her 2-year-old granddaughter.
Duran is a member of the Choctaw-Apache tribe and has delved into her ancestry over the past 15 years. Many of her family members from Louisiana have inspired portrait dolls, including one of her grandmother grinding corn.
The portrait dolls range from $25 to $1,800. Duran’s work can be seen at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, acclaimed for its collection of American Indian artwork. Duran is modest.
“I don’t feel like I did it,” Duran said. “I feel like something guided me in doing it.”
Each doll tells a story. That’s one of the reasons fellow artist and gallery owner Julia Crozier enjoys the pieces so much.
“I love the stories behind them,” Crozier said. “These pieces themselves are absolutely beautiful. They’re all individual people. You can let your imagination run wild.”
Bunny Welle, one of the Homecoming’s organizers, discovered Duran’s work a couple of years ago. She was surprised to find out the artist was from Winona.
“The faces are just unbelievably natural and filled with a lot of sentiment,” Welle said. “They’re just beautifully done. You feel as though you kind of know that person.”
The gallery show is a new offering for the Homecoming, now in its sixth year. It builds on the celebration’s theme of honoring women.
“People don’t have access to a lot of American Indian art, let alone women artists,” Welle said. “I think it opens up a new world for people.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Reception for exhibit by American Indian artists Linda Duran, Linda Haukaas, Ramona Stately Kitto and JoAnne Bird
WHEN: 7 to 9:30 p.m. today
WHERE: Blue Heron Gallery & Studio, 168 E. Third St. The exhibit will also be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and by appointment by calling 474-6879. Duran’s work can be seen at the gallery through June.
The Great Dakota Homecoming and Gathering is being held Saturday and Sunday at East Lake Winona’s Unity Park. Dr. Tawa Witko, a psychologist at Cangleska Inc. and a facilitator for the Santee Women’s Group, will discuss the role of women, how it has changed over time and what challenges it presents to Dakota women today. The discussion is after the Saturday Unity Feast at 6:30 p.m. in Unity Park. It will be followed by a prayer circle led by Janice Bad Moccasin. For a full schedule of events, visit www.dakotahomecoming.org.
www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2009/06/05/news/04ancestry05.txt
By KÄRI KNUTSON | kknutson@winonadailynews.com
They start out as organic clay, but the American Indian portrait dolls Linda Duran creates end up looking real.
The twinkle in the eye of a young man, the wrinkles in a grandmother’s skin, the peaceful expression on a sleeping baby’s face.
All are modeled after people Duran knows or has come to know in photographs or paintings.
“Faces come naturally to me,” Duran said.
Her work is part of an exhibit featuring three other American Indian women at the Blue Heron Gallery & Studio, 168 E. Third St. A reception for the artists is from 7 to 9:30 p.m. tonight to coincide with the sixth annual Great Dakota Homecoming and Gathering on Saturday and Sunday at East Lake Winona’s Unity Park.
Also featured are ledger art by Linda Haukaas, beaded moccasins by Ramona Stately Kitto and paintings by JoAnne Bird, who created the Spirit of Winona sculpture for Unity Park.
Duran grew up in Winona. She was inspired by the Aleut Indians while living in Alaska from 1990 to 2004 where. A year ago, she opened Little Wenonah, a children’s clothing consignment shop, named after her 2-year-old granddaughter.
Duran is a member of the Choctaw-Apache tribe and has delved into her ancestry over the past 15 years. Many of her family members from Louisiana have inspired portrait dolls, including one of her grandmother grinding corn.
The portrait dolls range from $25 to $1,800. Duran’s work can be seen at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, acclaimed for its collection of American Indian artwork. Duran is modest.
“I don’t feel like I did it,” Duran said. “I feel like something guided me in doing it.”
Each doll tells a story. That’s one of the reasons fellow artist and gallery owner Julia Crozier enjoys the pieces so much.
“I love the stories behind them,” Crozier said. “These pieces themselves are absolutely beautiful. They’re all individual people. You can let your imagination run wild.”
Bunny Welle, one of the Homecoming’s organizers, discovered Duran’s work a couple of years ago. She was surprised to find out the artist was from Winona.
“The faces are just unbelievably natural and filled with a lot of sentiment,” Welle said. “They’re just beautifully done. You feel as though you kind of know that person.”
The gallery show is a new offering for the Homecoming, now in its sixth year. It builds on the celebration’s theme of honoring women.
“People don’t have access to a lot of American Indian art, let alone women artists,” Welle said. “I think it opens up a new world for people.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Reception for exhibit by American Indian artists Linda Duran, Linda Haukaas, Ramona Stately Kitto and JoAnne Bird
WHEN: 7 to 9:30 p.m. today
WHERE: Blue Heron Gallery & Studio, 168 E. Third St. The exhibit will also be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and by appointment by calling 474-6879. Duran’s work can be seen at the gallery through June.
The Great Dakota Homecoming and Gathering is being held Saturday and Sunday at East Lake Winona’s Unity Park. Dr. Tawa Witko, a psychologist at Cangleska Inc. and a facilitator for the Santee Women’s Group, will discuss the role of women, how it has changed over time and what challenges it presents to Dakota women today. The discussion is after the Saturday Unity Feast at 6:30 p.m. in Unity Park. It will be followed by a prayer circle led by Janice Bad Moccasin. For a full schedule of events, visit www.dakotahomecoming.org.
www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2009/06/05/news/04ancestry05.txt