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“Identity Portrait Series” Quilts by Blair Treuer
I recently viewed Blair Treuer’s “Identity Exploration” at the Hopkin’s Center for the Arts in Hopkins, Minnesota. From HCA’s website, her work “is an exploration into the role Native American traditional cultural and spiritual practices and beliefs play in shaping the way her family sees itself collectively and the influences or effect it’s had on her own personal identity.” She is non-Native, married to Anton Treuer (Ojibwe).
Blair began creating blankets for private spiritual ceremonies, and transitioned to creating art for public viewing in 2018. Her first collection was portraits of her nine children, her husband, and herself. Her portraits depict what she now sees after being exposed to Anton’s work as a cultural leader and activist. Read more about each member of her family in the description, which is linked to her website.
These quilts are staggeringly beautiful and meaningful. The linked descriptions are a generously open view of her family and work.
Self Portrait, 2018, fabric and thread, 54″ x 49″
Mia, English name (Artist’s daughter) Biidaabanookwe/The Coming of the Light of Day Woman Ojibwe Name, 2019, fabric and thread, 72″ x 50″
Robert, English name (Artist’s adult son), Niizho-miigwan/Two Feathers Ojibwe Name, 2019, fabric and thread, 47″ x 55″
Prayer for Jordan, English name (Artist’s adult daughter), Waabanangookwe/Morning Star Woman Ojibwe name, 2019, fabric and thread, 49″ x 52″
Luella, English name, (Artist’s daughter), Chi-Ogimaa-binesiikwe/Big Boss Eagle Woman Ojibwe name, 2019, fabric and thread, 48″ x 62″
Maddy, English name (Artist’s adult daughter), Giizhigookwe/Sky Woman Ojibwe name, 2019, fabric and thread, 51″ x 72″
Caleb, English name (Artist’s adult son), Waabigwan-inini/Flower Man Ojibwe name, 2019, fabric and thread, 50″ x 40″
Elias, English name (Artist’s son), Bagwajinini/Wild Man Ojibwe name, 2020, fabric and thread, 48″ x 50″
Tony, English name (Artist’s husband), Waagosh/Fox Ojibwe name, 2019, fabric and thread, 49″ x 62″
Anton Treuer is a well-known author of many books, and professor of Ojibwe. He does cultural and equity work with many groups. I had the privilege of attending a virtual talk he gave.
Evan, English name (Artist’s son), Niiyo-bines/Four Thunderbirds Ojibwe name, 2019, fabric and thread, 43″ x 63″
2 responses to ““Identity Portrait Series” Quilts by Blair Treuer”
These are amazing works of art. From the soul. Thank you!
They really are, aren’t they? I’m grateful I got to see her quilts.