Then & Now Painting

This is an experimental art piece depicting two drastically different cultural memories of the same people. One memory depicts the ancient eagle dance done on the ceremonial stomp dance grounds. Seven arbors, referencing the seven family lines of the tribal city, look on at the dancers. These were a free and noble people. The other memory is of a prison cell. In Florida alone, a Native American male has a 93% chance of going to jail or prison at some point in their life. Females have a slightly lower, but still high, chance. Despite being more educated than other races/ethnicities, Native American men earn 75% less than their Caucasian peers. These are a broken people with only a glimmer hope for justice to one day win out for their people. Most are not even protected under the law, meaning they cannot worship as they wish or even create/claim their art as a part of their culture without fines and incarceration. The scenes are painted on seven white feathers wrapped in seven colors. This represents the seven family clans of the tribe and their seven understandings of reality. Thus, even though the culture may have shifted some due colonialization, the underpinnings of the culture are still there. 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.

Painting:Acrylic on Other

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:7.3 W x 7.3 H x 1 D in

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