MAKE WORK

The Artist Known As Sokwa Shares On Diligence And The Creative Process

The artist known as SOKWA was born Brett Kennedy in Shiprock, New Mexico. Though raised on the Navajo reservation, his mother is full-blooded Chippewa (Ojibwe), adopted by his Navajo grandparents. His father is an Anglo whose mother taught English on the reservation. SOKWA’s parents moved him to Albuquerque as a toddler, giving him an upbringing he describes as both “polarizing” and “whitewashed.” Getting back in touch with his Native traditions “comes into play in my art; trying to capture this thing I believe resides in our DNA and our blood, and calling back to our ancestors to make this new thing but still paying homage.”

SOKWA credits his wife with helping to advance his art career. They met in middle school and are truly lifelong partners. She’s what he calls the family’s “ultimate breadwinner.” “If I hadn’t had that kind of support from her, I wouldn’t be here having these conversations, because I wouldn’t have followed through with making art and selling it. But I’m here now, trying to do good on my end to make it as successful as I can.” As to their children, a 16-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son, managing their pandemic schedules all under one roof contributed positively to both his parenting and his art. Like many artists, however, it took a minute for SOKWA to get on solid footing with his own creative process.

Years ago, SOKWA played football at UNM while getting his art studio degree but wasn’t committed to the workflow that currently distinguishes his output. After graduating, he took a risk with the earliest iteration of the Rail Yards space. “For that whole season, like six or seven months, I tried to sell my art.” But he didn’t make a lot of money and the art itself “just didn’t feel right,” and the calling quieted. Then COVID happened. Everyone was at home, of course, so he watched his then-toddler son and started painting again. He got into a rhythm between parenting at home and practicing his art and started amassing a good-size collection. When restrictions were lifted, he took a chance and “started going to every outdoor market that I could throughout the city.”

Every weekend for over a year, SOKWA “grinded super hard” and eventually got a poster gig with New Mexico United. That exposure was the push he needed; a year after that, he got an exhibit offer with the Secret Gallery in Barelas. “That solidified my position as a professional artist. Going into this year, I just hit it really hard and I’ve probably made some of my best pieces.”

SOKWA knows what it takes to make a name in the Burque art scene and he offers young, up-and-coming artists some advice. “The biggest thing is, you have to make work. You can’t say, ‘Well, I’ll get to it tomorrow.’” Also, “You can’t put all your fruit in one basket. I can’t just rely on that one painting I made. You have to keep making work because you’re trying to reach out to as much of an audience as possible.” Even if a new artist isn’t branding themselves in a style, and even if they’re not successful the first time around, “Just make artwork,” he states. “And as you practice and get better at it, people will recognize that.”

SOKWA interview SOKWA on Instagram Secret Gallery

It’s back-to-school time, but are students looking forward to it?

Jackie Mahoney is a social worker and coach for parents and caregivers needing to help their kids through school. Moving from the long, lazy days of summer back into a schooltime routine, she says, can be a real challenge. “Getting up at a certain time, being able to sit still, listening to whatever the lesson is. Managing your anxiousness, or your need to move.” It’s all part of getting back into the groove of the school year.