The Young Americans

THE YOUNG AMERICANS

March 14, 2019

COYOTE TALES No.1 by Cara Romero, Chemehuevi

The Young Americans

21 march - 8 June 2019

This spring Rainmaker Gallery showcases a new generation of Native American artists. These young creatives bring an explosive visual mix of techniques, experimentation and individual perspectives that shatter clichéd perceptions of ‘Indian’ art and life. 

“As a Native contemporary artist and craftsperson of North America, I am motivated to reclaim and reframe a more accurate version of 21st century Indigenous culture and its powerful global relevance.” Cannupa Hanska Luger

The Young Americans exhibition presents photography, printmaking and painting by sixteen artists from twenty tribal nations. Many of these artists are drawn from the alumni of the Institute of American Indian Arts, a well-spring of creative innovation since the 1960’s. Building on the legacy of those groundbreaking Indigenous artists who came before them, these young Americans are unapologetically forward looking and simultaneously self-reflective.

The exhibition features bold prints by Jordan Craig, colourful abstractions by Terran Last Gun and an astonishing reconstructed self-portrait by Greg Ballenger. It includes supernatural narrative photography by Cara Romero, dynamic figurative images by Manuel Ramirez and vibrant artworks by Yatika Starr Fields and Phillip Vigil.

Collectively these artists, embrace influences from traditional Native American design and 18th-century portraiture to contemporary street art and Japanese anime. The contemporary expressions included in this exhibition are a snapshot of the vast Native American talent very much alive and making a mark in the world. Educated, articulate and fearless, this generation of Native artists epitomises the exciting and fast-changing scene of indigenous art. They offer a refreshing perspective on what it means to grow up in the United States today. These are The Young Americans - Indigenous, dynamic and indomitable.

Cannupa Hanska Luger - Thursday 9 May 2019

We are honoured and delighted that artist activist

will be coming to Bristol for our spring exhibition. Not only will he be contributing ceramic artwork to the show he will also be inviting us all to participate in an open conversation. This discussion event will be followed by an artist reception at Rainmaker Gallery. Both events will take place on Thursday 9th May at 3-4pm and 6-8pm respectively. Please contact the gallery for more detailed information.

exhibition opens next week and runs until Saturday 8th June. Come by the gallery anytime to see the show and get a free guided tour of the work.

Jo x