William Wilson (Navajo)

Artistic Innovation – Through the Soul of an Artist

Location:

Santa Fe, NM

Award:

$9,000

Project:

“Auto Immune Response”

Website:

* Artist Portfolio

Book Excerpt

William Wilson’s work focuses primarily on the Navajo people and their relation to the land. His large scale photographs illustrate Native Americans vexed relationship to an environment torn apart by industrial intrusion. Funding for this project supported the final chapter of a series, leading the artist to an exploration of the four sacred mountains of the Navajo Nation with the major subtext being the legacy of energy resource development in the area. The project will attract attention through the artist's working relationship with IAIA, MoCNA, and the Santa Fe Art Institute. Will has been hard at work as Project Manager for the contemporary Native arts anthology "Manifestations: New Native Art Criticism", an overview of 60 working Native artists working in the US. The handsome book was crafted out of the "Vision Project" at the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts which engaged 21 Native scholars concerning contemporary Native arts practice.

“These gifts demonstrate strong tribal interest in creating a powerful funding engine for protecting and preserving Native art and culture—the very cornerstones of tribal sovereignty. A foundation of this nature will help reverse the long history of government suppression of Native culture done as part of the United States' assimilation program. Through gifts of this nature, Indian Country can direct its resources to protect what is closest to home to all Indian tribes—our own cultures."

Walter Echo-Hawk, Pawnee

Of counsel, Crowe & Dunlevy, P.C.

“The act of giving was part of the ‘gifting economy’ of the Northwest where one’s wealth was measured by generosity, good work and a good heart. That is the work of philanthropy too: It’s an honor to have plenty and to share. There is no lack when you have this process in place and the most important mindset to have while participating is gratitude, or giving thanks and promising to care for all, no matter what.”

Elizabeth Woody, Navajo/Warm Springs/Wasco/Yakama

Board Secretary, Native Arts & Cultures Foundation

William Wilson (Navajo)

2011/2012 Grantees

2010/2011 Grantees