Episode 137 with Skawennati - Immersive Artistic Journey into Contemporary Indigenous Art and Cyberspace

Rue Atateken

Dive into a captivating conversation with contemporary Kanien'kehá:ka artist, Skawennati, as she traces her journey in the world of contemporary Indigenous art and cyberspace. Born in Kahnawake, near Montreal, Skawennati shares her artistic and activist journey, exploring the evolution of Indigenous art since the 1990s.

Delve deeper into her progression towards digital art, discover how this Kanien'kehá:ka artist fell in love with the interactive technology "HyperCard" at Concordia University, and how this led to the creation of Cyber Pow Wow, her visually represented online chat platform. A powerful example of how technology can be used to shape, define, and exhibit art.

This introspective episode explores the complexities of anchoring identity in a digital age, questioning notions of authenticity and belonging, and demonstrating how contemporary art can reflect these aspects of our identity.

The program also addresses the challenge of decolonizing art, giving voice to Indigenous artists and sharing sincere stories of their struggles and successes. The discussion spans everything from creating films in virtual environments to the future of Indigenous art in the digital sphere.

Discover Skawennati's vision for the future of Indigenous art and how she has helped propel Indigenous artists onto the national and international stage through her award-winning artwork. Additionally, explore her work in artistic education among young Indigenous people and her activism in women's rights and social justice.

With this episode, immerse yourself in an enlightening discussion that highlights the beauty and variety of Indigenous artists' works, often overlooked by the general public.