Wačháŋtognaka | Nurture, from the suite "Takes Care of Them" – Works

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Artist/Maker Dyani White Hawk (Sičangu Lakota, born 1976)

Date2019

MediumScreenprint with metallic foil

DimensionsSheet: 55 1/2 × 32 in. (141 × 81.3 cm) Frame: 56 1/2 × 33 × 2 5/8 in. (143.5 × 83.8 × 6.7 cm)

Credit LinePurchase, William G. Roehrick '34 Art Acquisition and Preservation Fund

Object number2020.4.4

Not on view

Description“Inspired by Plains style women’s dentalium dresses, the set speaks to the ways in which Native women collectively care for our communities. Through acts of creation, nurturing, leadership, love, and protection carried out in infinite forms, our grandmothers, aunties, sisters, cousins, nieces, and friends collectively care for our communities. As a suite, these works speak to the importance of kinship roles and tribal structures that emphasize the necessity of extended family, tribal and communal ties as meaningful and significant relationships necessary for the rearing of healthy and happy individuals and communities. The idea for this suite of four dresses came from the practice of requesting four veterans to stand in each cardinal direction for protection when particular ceremonies are taking place. My mother is a veteran. In thinking through the ways the women in our lives stand guard, protect, and nurture our well being, the idea for this set of four was born. Each print is individually named with a quality that embodies the ways they care for us all. Yet, this list of qualities could go on and on and each person carries multiple roles. This list is simply a starting point, an acknowledgement and gesture of gratitude for the many women in my life that have helped Create, Nurture, Protect, and Lead in ways that have taught me what it means to be a good relative.” (SOURCE: Dyani White Hawk)