Pulling and Pushing

These works are a part of my project Pulling and Pushing, examining the convergence of Native American and skateboarding culture. I have grown up surrounded by both in the Southwest, and have found that I have never felt more at home than when I am skating with my kin. Themes such as reciprocity and kincentricity (two rules on how I navigate the world by being hyperconscious of everyone and everything around me, and taking care of those who take care of me) are central to my way of life and artmaking.  These are through lines in both Native and skating communities. When we combine both, we become living embodiments of resilience. 

Across the series, photo mediums like silver gelatin or Polaroids and traditional painting or wood working are mixed with the language of today’s skate scene. I make sure that many of my artworks are gifted away to those in need, and also used as functional objects so they are activated and continue their purpose of building healing communities. For example, I designed a skate deck and printed a narrative through Pueblo pottery designs on it myself, specifically to be made inexpensively without sacrificing aesthetics or function, which I make to give away. This gives people a lower barrier of entry to start skateboarding. Tradition and culture are not stagnant ponds, they flow continuously like a river, adapting and growing with the land around it. This mix of traditional and alternative culture shows the immense love and community that has sprouted in the face of colonialism, on and off the Rez.