Sculptures That Talk

Fall 2017-present

Sculptures That Talk includes sculpture and tactical exhibit design through community led collection of images from the Arizona Historical Society in Papago Park, as well as the National Archives in Washington D.C. and College Park, along with other public domain images that have been found on the internet. Some of the photos have been sourced from the Apache Stronghold members who are acting as collaborators and contributors. This first panel that has been created tells the story of the Indian removal practices that the United States Government initiated across the nation through the eyes and sacred sand painting designs of the Chiricahua Apache. This final object features visual panels created to both honor Apache relatives, as well as work to educate the public about exactly how native peoples were removed from their traditional lands, and why they seek to reclaim their lands.

During June 2018, the Apache Stronghold crossed the country on a spiritual journey to “educate America about its true history and demand the changes to outdated federal policies and to create stronger laws that will protect the environment.” The caravan stopped at different sites that are affected by industrial waste, reduction of public lands from the Trump administration, sites of historical importance, and sacred places. On this journey the panel was blessed in a Navajo hogan to honor the relatives that are printed on the panel. It was hung in a number of different meeting places where the Apache Stronghold held different events to educate the communities about the issues that persist at Oak Flat, as well as the other locations that we visited along the caravan. The first panel was returned to the San Carlos Apache Reservation at the end of the caravan.