Peter Blum Gallery is exhibiting a solo presentation of recent work by Nicholas Galanin (b. 1979 Sitka, Alaska) at Art Basel this week. Nicholas Galanin works at the intersection of conceptual and material practice, rooted in his Tlingit/Unangax background. Using diverse media, he claims agency through works that celebrate cultural continuum and contradict colonialism and erasure. Examining the complexities of contemporary Indigenous identity, culture, and representation, Galanin works from his experience as a Tlingit/Unangax artist. Embedding incisive observation and reflection into his oftentimes provocative work, he aims to redress the widespread misappropriation of Indigenous visual culture, the impact of colonialism, as well as collective amnesia. Galanin reclaims narrative and creative agency, while demonstrating contemporary Indigenous art as a continually evolving practice.
As he describes: “My process of creation is a constant pursuit of freedom and vision for the present and future. I use my work to explore adaptation, resilience, survival, dream, memory, cultural resurgence, and connection and disconnection to the land.” Galanin unites both traditional and contemporary practices, creating a synthesis of elements to navigate “the politics of cultural representation.” Speaking through multiple visual, sonic, and tactile languages, his concepts determine his processes, which include sculpture, installation, photography, video, performance, and textile-based work. This contemporary practice builds upon an Indigenous artistic continuum while celebrating the culture and its people; Galanin contributes urgent criticality and vision through resonant and layered works.
