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Florida, Protect Us! Painting

Ken Johnson

United States

Painting, Acrylic on Other

Size: 7.5 W x 7.5 H x 1 D in

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Originally listed for $420
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About The Artwork

This is an experimental art piece depicting the American Indian exodus into Florida along the Apalachicola River. The vast majority of Native Americans coming into Florida were ethnically Southeastern Woodlands Tribal People but they were racially Black/African American, White, etc. This is because it was a crime, punishable by death, to be a Native American found in the state. Called "passers," these ethnic American Indians could "pass" as "White," "Black," "Black Dutch," Mulatto," or whatever other racial identity was popular and more safe at the time. To ensure safe passage, they traveled at night with a torch affixed to the bow of the boat to lead the way. Men would also use the torch light to spot and spear fish for their meals as they traveled. They left everyhting, and risked everything, in the hopes Florida, despite its hostal nature and onerous laws, would become a place of safehaven from governmental oppression. This painting is done on four feathers wrapped and beaded in four colors. These colors represent the four cardinal directions. Dance cones and deer hair tassles round out the piece. About the Artist: Ken Johnson is a Southern heritage feather painter. Feather painting is a Native American artform which was handed down to him. In 2001, Jeb Bush, Governor of the State of Florida, abolished state recognition for non-federally recognized tribes. This made it illegal for American Indian artists, from over 500 non-recognized Florida tribes, to call their work "American Indian Made" or to call themselves "Native American artists." Enraged, he quickly took up a leadership position in his tribe and started promoting his artwork as a protest to this onerous change in Florida legislation. He uses his paintings not only as a protest but also as a way to showcase causes, key concepts, social justice issues, ecological issues, history, and more.

Details & Dimensions

Painting:Acrylic on Other

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:7.5 W x 7.5 H x 1 D in

Shipping & Returns

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.

I am a Southern heritage feather painter. Feather painting is a Native American artform which was handed down to me. In 2001, Jeb Bush, Governor of the State of Florida, abolished state recognition for non-federally recognized tribes. This made it illegal for American Indian artists, from over 500 non-recognized Florida tribes, to call their work "American Indian Made" or to call themselves "Native American artists." Enraged, I quickly took up a leadership position in my tribe and started promoting my artwork as a protest to this onerous change in Florida legislation. I use my paintings not only as a protest but also as a way to showcase causes, key concepts, social justice issues, ecological issues, history, and more. Since then, I have become a multi-award winning author on social justice issues. I often marry my art and my writing (i.e., doing feather painting talking pieces for Restorative Justice circle sessions and also for the cover image of one of my books). I am also a member of Animating Democracy. I am most known for my intricate detail and unique interpretation of concepts. I am also known for conveying feeling through my art. In one instance, I had been rejected by a local gallery and told I had no artistic talent. It crushed me but I strove on. Soon, I was selling out at shows in other cities. The gallery found out and asked me to resubmit my art with the warning they would not be lowering their standards. Irked by their handling of things, I painted this savage, wet, raging boar hog in a rain storm. I called him "Maynard." As I told my wife, "They acted as swine to me so I shall give them swine to judge!" Needless to say, I got into the gallery and Maynard now rests on the wall of an award-winning Kansas City barbeque restaurant.

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