Launch

Mokek Ndodaske'wen: a sunrise ceremony (detail) by Jason Wesaw, Pokagon Potawatomi

Celebrate with us on Tuesday 27th September

It is with immense joy and gratitude that we invite you to join us on

Tuesday September 27th

to celebrate the official launch of our new Bristol gallery space!

The launch will be attended by three visiting artists and their families from the USA. We are delighted to welcome to Bristol Jason Wesaw and Douglas Klemm from the Potawatomi Nation and Diné sculptor Jazmin Novak.

Events start at 2pm with an artist talk by Jason Wesaw (see below), followed by the opening of the exhibition '

Keepers of The Fire

'.

Please join us all to celebrate this new phase in the journey of Rainmaker Gallery and

the rise of Indigenous art

.

Artist Talk with Jason Wesaw

2pm - 3pm at Rainmaker Gallery

Hear multi-disciplinary artist Jason Wesaw speak about his art and Potawatomi culture."History is important, yes. But in my work, it is a means to an end to call notice to our continued presence in the land that nurtured us since the beginning of time. My work is intentionally bright, simple, and abstract because I seek to create in a visual language that blows up the stereotype of looking at Native Americans through a black and white lens." JWThis event will take place in the gallery at 2pm, followed by a Q&A when both Jason and Douglas will be happy to answer your questions.There is a cost of £10 per person for this talk.To book please email [email protected] or call the gallery on 0117 973 0398.

Grassy Beach Lake Michigan, oil on canvas by Douglas Klemm, Pokagon Potawatomi

Keepers of The Fire

The Potawatomi Nation are known as the Keepers of The Fire amongst the tribes of the Three Fires Confederacy and we are honoured that the first exhibition in our new home brings together the work of two artists from Pokégnek Bodéwadmik (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians), Jason Wesaw and Douglas Klemm. Both artists express a profound connection to and respect for the land. The minimalist drawings of Jason Wesaw are juxtaposed with richly textured landscape paintings by Douglas Klemm. Through expanses of carefully chosen colour drawn with oil pastel on incised archival paper, Wesaw describes a deep connection to nature and his ancestral homelands."The bold colors and simple patterning lend itself to a visual language that comes across more meditative and reflective in the way we all feel when seeing a beautiful sunrise or looking out across a vast expanse of mountains. It is this amazement, this wonder, that is at the heart of our relationships in the natural world and forms the core of our identity as 'Keepers of the Fire'."  Jason WesawAs a landscape artist Klemm is directly inspired by the natural world."Composition is very important as are the design elements of form, line, color, value, shape, texture, rhythm, repetition and balance. If I use a photo reference, it must be one I have taken myself. I need to be on-site to experience the energy, details and spirit of the land." Douglas KlemmThis exhibition encourages us all to be more respectful of the lands that we inhabit.

See you soon!

If you can't wait for the opening you are welcome to drop by sooner or visit our website to browse our beautiful jewellery and other wonderful creations.Our new address is 140 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2RS and we also have a new telephone number - 0117 973 0398.Opening hours are Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm and Saturday 10am - 4pm or by appointment.We look forward to seeing you soon!with love,Jo x