Indian Ice
Portrait of Warpaint
Gods of Nature
Grandma
Artist Statement: My artwork—visual, written—reflects my Indigenous heritage. My poetry on “Portrait of Warpaint” describes this artwork which shows the façade of appearance in victims of domestic violence, although they engage in warfare habitually, i.e., mascara makeup and well-groomed face to project all-put-together, long sleeves to cover wounds, neatly combed hair and erect posture signalling all is well, folded hands to show conformity. The façade is so convincing, the viewer may never know this drawing is about DV without the typed poem. My poetry on “Grandmother” describes this artwork that contrasts the frailty of grandmother with the barrowed raincoat from the grandchild, a raincoat that protects her from the elements. The absence of part of the raincoat carries the connotation of the diminishing capacity of the aging grandmother, signalling that her grandchildren need to be alert to her needs. My poetry on “gods of nature” describes this artwork demonstrating the lasting beauty of ancestral moon. It reminds us that we all have ancestors who lived under the same beautiful moon we live under and venerate today. This artwork was created by the author.
About Dr. Deidra Suwanee Dees
Dr. Deidra Suwanee Dees is the Director/Tribal Archivist for the Office of Archives and Records Management at the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in the State of Alabama. Working with the Tribal Attorney General, she wrote the “Carcieri Research Report” to shore up the Tribe’s stance on sovereignty and land held in trust in response to the United States Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar. She served as the Museum/Cultural Director culminating in the grand opening of the Tribe’s Museum, Kerretv en Cuko (House of Learning), which showcases a treasure trove of evidentiary artifacts on Creek history from pre-European contact to present day. As a contributing writer, Dr. Dees shares archival materials on Indigenous history in the Poarch Creek News whose subscribership reaches approximately 3,000 Tribal Member households in hardcopy; and the general public via the Tribal website.