Jeffrery Moose Gallery, 1333 5th Ave, Seattle, will show a group of acrylic paintings, prints and hand-sewn blankets by Cree/Iriquois artist Chholing Taha from July 10th through September 1st. A reception will be held on Thursday, July 12th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

On Sat, 6/22, Ms. Taha received two prestigious awards at the Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market, 2007. Known as an illustrator and textile artist, Ms. Taha is inspired by Native stories from throughout the communities of Native Americans, or First Peoples. Her blankets and shawls are sought after by Native Fancy Dancers at Pow Wows due to their intricate hand work, vibrant color schemes and rich narrative/totemic content.

Her figurative paintings are pleasant but not sachrine, depicting scenes of daily life of Native Americans in gorgeous natural settings. On closer inspection, details are revealed that are both provocative and historically accurate, suggesting an intimacy with the subject matter. Narratives depicting groups of Natives from different areas meeting to trade are displayed along side scenes which are symbolic and often abstracted in a variety of Native styles.

The artwork of Ms. Taha , who received a BFA, Magna Cum Laude from Boise State University and a Master's in Information Systems (web design) from the U. W., has been acknowledged in several significant ways. Most recently PBS recorded an interview at the artist's Tacoma home in relation to artwork she produced for the Native People for Cancer Control program through a Poster Art Grant with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.

Recently, the artist departed for the Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market, 2007, in Indianapolis Indiana, one of the premier markets for Native art in the US and the oldest US Museum dedicated to Native American art. There she was asked to display two works, including a Coast Salish-style Octopus button blanket, attached below as a painting (made for the Fred Hutchison project), for inclusion in this year's ceremony. For this work, the artist was awarded a Musuem Purchase Prize and a Second Place Prize for her painting "Moon When the Men Get Ready" .





Chholing Taha
"Legend of Octopus Woman and Crow"
Acrylic on Paper (Also Button Blanket)
29" x 22" image area
2007

"The Legend of Octopus & Crow" This story is based on the Coast Salish story of how all the animals in the old time would talk and help each other. Only crow talked just to himself. By not heeding the warns of the other animal People, crow was seduced and eventually eaten by Octopus. For this story, the Octopus represents cancer and the crow is the person too stubborn to get educated about it.


Chholing Taha
"Moon When the Rivers Dream"
Acrylic on Paper
21" x 15" image area
2006

"Moon When the Rivers Dream" - During winter time it is an opportunity to reflect and make one's plea for the coming year. Then water is frozen, it may symbolize the quieting of our emotions and pride to begin anew in the spring time. In this image the men, who have honored Creator with their lodge all throughout the year, are working together to harvest additional meat for the band. The importance of Elders when making decisions cannot be emphasized enough.


Chholing Taha
"Moon When the Men Get Ready"
Acrylic on Paper
21" x 15" image area
2007

"Moon When the Men Get Ready" - Without men, ceremonies could not exist. The men work extremely hard to prepare for canoe journeys, raising the Sundance pole/arbor, dancing in scorching heat for rain, or caving masks, the making of other ceremonial objects, tending the fires and guarding the camp.
This painting honors all the men who dedicated parts of their lives, resources and heart to help the People each year.


Chholing Taha
"Off to Visit Auntie"
Acrylic on Paper
21" x 15" image area
2003

"Off to Visit Auntie" - The extended family is a precious treasure from Creator, a treasure often over-looked and neglected in today's hectic life that is filled with distractions. Those who are aware know that all Native Women are Aunties.
Relatives will stand-in for lost parents, nieces become daughters, Aunties become Grandma's, no one walks alone in a true society.
Here you see several women, young and middle-aged on their way to visit Auntie, whether this Auntie is blood related or not, it is someone respected and loved by everyone.

More works by Chholing Taha