These double-exposed hand-tinted black and white photographs illustrate the traditional yet ongoing belief of Indian people that we still honor our roles as caregivers to our mother, the earth. The main focus of many of our ceremonies and dances is renewal of the earth and therefore ourselves. The images are blurred and indistinct just as our responsibilities as earth's children and caretakers are constantly changing. Our commitment to this responsibility is manifested in the joyous but sometimes exhausting physical, mental and spiritual sacrifice; her gift in return is the grounding force that is reflected in our daily lives and gives us the warrior strength to continue our modern battles.
This series of three tinted photos was commissioned by Harrah's Cherokee, Casino and Hotel in North Carolina. Each panel measures 48X72"and reflects a craft specific to the Eastern Band Cherokee, namely seed bead rosettes, pony bead belts and finger woven yarn belts.This large-scale work pays homage to the vision and painstaking detail that these artisans have devoted to their traditional work.
