Post by Okwes on Feb 24, 2006 11:20:13 GMT -5
ARTIST PROFILE: Bunky Echohawk, Yakama/Pawnee
www.bunkyechohawk.com/
I was born on May 20, 1975, in Topboy thingyh, Washington, on the Yakama
Nation Reservation. Like my mother, sister, and brother, I am an
enrolled member of the Yakama Nation of Washington State. I am also
a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, from my father. I grew up
off the reservation, far away from our people in Colorado. My father
has worked at the Native American Rights Fund in Boulder, Colorado
since before my birth.
Growing up in a non-Indian world, I was constantly faced with the
responsibility of defining my identity as a Pawnee/Yakama Indian. We
were not always away from home. We often traveled home for
ceremonies and family reunions. I was always fascinated by the
duality of the two worlds, and the juxtaposition of culture and
identity. This is where my art has originated from: The pursuit of a
true identity, and the need to share this identity with the world.
I went to college at the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa
Fe, New Mexico, where I earned an Associate of Art degree in
Creative Writing. With my writing, I was able to achieve part of my
goal. Writing enabled my voice. I was able to publish my work in
numerous places, and was also able to have it performed as well.
Painting is an extension of my writing. It is another voice I am
trying to harness. Visual images are sometimes more powerful than
written words.
www.bunkyechohawk.com/
I was born on May 20, 1975, in Topboy thingyh, Washington, on the Yakama
Nation Reservation. Like my mother, sister, and brother, I am an
enrolled member of the Yakama Nation of Washington State. I am also
a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, from my father. I grew up
off the reservation, far away from our people in Colorado. My father
has worked at the Native American Rights Fund in Boulder, Colorado
since before my birth.
Growing up in a non-Indian world, I was constantly faced with the
responsibility of defining my identity as a Pawnee/Yakama Indian. We
were not always away from home. We often traveled home for
ceremonies and family reunions. I was always fascinated by the
duality of the two worlds, and the juxtaposition of culture and
identity. This is where my art has originated from: The pursuit of a
true identity, and the need to share this identity with the world.
I went to college at the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa
Fe, New Mexico, where I earned an Associate of Art degree in
Creative Writing. With my writing, I was able to achieve part of my
goal. Writing enabled my voice. I was able to publish my work in
numerous places, and was also able to have it performed as well.
Painting is an extension of my writing. It is another voice I am
trying to harness. Visual images are sometimes more powerful than
written words.