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310 W. 19th Terrace, Kansas City, MO, 64108 map it
6 p.m.
RSVP
Travois First Fridays on Friday, June 1 is featuring “Life Is Breathtaking” by Cannupa Hanska Luger (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota)
6-8 p.m.: Exhibition open to the public
6:30 p.m.: Artist talk
Travois supports American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities and tribes in achieving their vision for economic and community development. Over 23 years, Travois has secured $1.3 billion dollars for affordable housing, education, health services, water infrastructure, and climate adaptation in Indian Country.
Art is a vibrant contributor to Native economies and a culture bearer for Native people. Travois is expanding our service area to highlight the strength and modern-day vitality of Native artists and to stimulate art purchases and commissions within one of the nation’s leading art scenes: Kansas City.
Born in North Dakota on the Standing Rock Reservation, multidisciplinary artist Cannupa Hanska Luger comes from Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota, Austrian, and Norwegian descent. His artist statement explains that his “work communicates stories of complex Indigenous identities coming up against 21st century challenges, including human alienation from and destruction of the land to which we all belong.” Luger “provokes diverse publics to engage with Indigenous peoples and values apart from the lens of colonial social structuring.”
“Every piece continues to take a lifetime to create, so that life itself is a material,” Luger explained. “And so, art should represent this moment in time, an interpretation of right now.”
“Supporting the arts is part of supporting a strong local economy,” said Travois President Phil Glynn. “Our arts economy creates jobs and is a catalyst for new business and development around our region. We are investing our space and our brand to continue this momentum. We are thrilled Cannupa Hanska Luger is showing his artwork on June 1 as our next featured Travois First Friday artist.”
Luger’s practice combines critical cultural analysis with dedication and respect for the diverse materials, environments and communities he engages. He is known for his ceramic innovations, interpreting the material with patience and experimentation. He also tells stories using fiber, steel, cut-paper, video, sound, performance, monumental sculpture, land art installation, and social collaboration. Luger holds a BFA in studio arts from the Institute of American Indian Arts. He was a recipient of the 2016 Native Arts & Cultures Foundation National Artist Fellowship Award and has participated in artist residencies and institution lectures throughout the nation. He maintains a studio practice in New Mexico. His work is collected and exhibited internationally.
Learn more on his website, Facebook and Instagram.
Preregister and receive two drink tickets at the event (21+): https://travois.com/event/?ee=58
All ages are welcome to attend the event.
