"So We Too"; This is a serigraph print that makes
a statement about the universality of the
displacement of indigenous people in their own
homelands.
a statement about the universality of the
displacement of indigenous people in their own
homelands.
"Pocahontas
Unmasked", makes an
unbiased visual statement
about an American icon.
The artist felt insulted by
how a Pamunkey Indian
woman of purely indigenous
ancestry had been
"whitewashed" by
European portraitists. Their
use of an Anglicized Indian
woman for commercial
propaganda purposes made
a mockery of ideal
indigenous aesthetics and
cultural traditions.
Look closely at the full lips
and tattooed face. They are
true indicators of
indigenous beauty.
Unmasked", makes an
unbiased visual statement
about an American icon.
The artist felt insulted by
how a Pamunkey Indian
woman of purely indigenous
ancestry had been
"whitewashed" by
European portraitists. Their
use of an Anglicized Indian
woman for commercial
propaganda purposes made
a mockery of ideal
indigenous aesthetics and
cultural traditions.
Look closely at the full lips
and tattooed face. They are
true indicators of
indigenous beauty.
The four totem poles at the near left
vary in size and meaning. They have
been "fire-engraved" with pictographs
that relate key events from the history
and mythology of Virginia's Indians
(and their Eastern Woodlands
"cousins"). They are part of a six
totem pole installation that range in
height from four to nine feet tall.
(Left to right)
1. "Totem to Powhatan", 7ft
2. "Pocahontas/John Smith Story", 6ft
3. "Attan Akamik", 5ft
4. "Origin of Men and Women", 4ft
The tallest totem, at nine feet, is
"The Old Dominion" (not shown).
It features the State Seal of Virginia
embossed on a copper shield.
vary in size and meaning. They have
been "fire-engraved" with pictographs
that relate key events from the history
and mythology of Virginia's Indians
(and their Eastern Woodlands
"cousins"). They are part of a six
totem pole installation that range in
height from four to nine feet tall.
(Left to right)
1. "Totem to Powhatan", 7ft
2. "Pocahontas/John Smith Story", 6ft
3. "Attan Akamik", 5ft
4. "Origin of Men and Women", 4ft
The tallest totem, at nine feet, is
"The Old Dominion" (not shown).
It features the State Seal of Virginia
embossed on a copper shield.
Powhatan Museum
of Indigenous Arts and Culture
Powhatan Gallery
| This is an online exhibition of contemporary visual and literary work created by descendants of the historic Powhatan Confederacy Tribal Nations indigenous to Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. Featured artists have given the Powhatan Museum permission to have their work posted on this website. |
ROSE POWHATAN (Pamunkey/Tauxenent), Painter/Printmaker//Installation Artist
"A Warrior's Memories of Days Past"; Mixed-media installation using organic materials. The totem pole represents Chief Powhatan.
Detail of: Four Totems (Fire-engraved wood)
Installation of six Powhatan totems at the
Vienna Metro Station, Vienna, VA.
Vienna Metro Station, Vienna, VA.
"Pocahontas Unmasked " (Hand colored print)
"Storyteller" (Acrylic Painting)
"Pride of Virginia:
Chickahominy Cousins Carmen
and Troy Adkins"
(This acrylic painting honors a
Virginia Indian family of wisdom
keepers.)
Chickahominy Cousins Carmen
and Troy Adkins"
(This acrylic painting honors a
Virginia Indian family of wisdom
keepers.)
"Keziah Powhatan, Fire Woman Warrior"; This organic
installation features a totem pole as its main
design feature. The totem pole represents an ancestor
of the artist, Keziah Powhatan. She was a Tauxenent Indian
who headed her band of fellow tribespeople in Fairfax County,
Virginia during colonial times.
installation features a totem pole as its main
design feature. The totem pole represents an ancestor
of the artist, Keziah Powhatan. She was a Tauxenent Indian
who headed her band of fellow tribespeople in Fairfax County,
Virginia during colonial times.
Copyrighted 2007 by Auld/Powhatan
GEORGIA MILLS JESSUP (Pamunkey), Painter/Ceramist/Muralist
Above: "Rainy Night Downtown", In the permanent collection of
the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC
the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC
Right: "Shaman"
| ABOVE: This was a 1988 promotional segment of a competition for placing artworks in selected Washington, DC's Metropolitan Area's Metro Stations. |