When Nature Spoke to the Nuche "Utes"

Artist Statement:

In the past, the "Nuche" Ute people could communicate with nature and hear its voice. During this time, there was a strong connection between the land and the Indigenous people. They believed their destinies were intertwined and that harming the environment would lead to their destruction and the loss of their homes and lands.

 

In this series, I aim to reclaim iconic Indigenous images taken by non-Indigenous photographers throughout Colorado in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I have created digital mixed-media collages by combining historical photographs and the symbolism of natural elements to capture the essence of vintage portraits. These portraits depict the nostalgic American West that greatly impacted this marginalized group, which was forcefully removed from their homelands. My goal is to incorporate ethereal images, traditional oral stories, memories, ceremonial practices, rare beliefs, and the spiritual significance of the Ute People in my artwork.