Nationality
American, Turtle Mountain Chippewa
Preview
Date of Work
2025
Medium
Ink on paper
Signature
Front lower right
Width
17"
Depth
11"
Collection/Provenance
Contemporary Indigenous Art Collections: Student Government Collection
Status
On Display
Location
Memorial Union Gallery
Artist Bio
Jalen Decoteau is a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribe. He graduated from UND with his BFA in drawing in 2024. He often works in the medium of ink, depicting scenes that resemble a comic book.
Artist Statement:
"Through Ink drawings influenced by sequential art of comic books and graphic novels, I explore themes of history, resilience, and identity in contemporary Native American culture. I use panel-based storytelling to develop narratives that include American Indigenous characters or cultural events. While the work directly alludes to the past, present, and future effects of colonization on American Indigenous life and culture, I emphasize the characters’ strength and resilience as they navigate evolving traditions within a world undergoing rapid change. Contemporary cultural events such as the powwow serve as a backdrop to much of my work to celebrate the adaptability of Native traditions, while I critique historical events which are impactful to Indigenous people by satirizing popular media and Native stereotypes."
Additional Information
Three grass dancers in different poses are depicted in a perspective that indicates that they are seemingly moving towards the viewer.
Condition
Excellent