Gordon Coons: Exploring the Native American Experience in the Midwest

GORDON COONS, NATIVE LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NEW MOON

Gordon Coons: Exploring the Native American Experience in the Midwest BRADY & JEANNE FOUST GALLERY October 25 - December 1, 2024 Reception: November 8th 5-7pm Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-2:00 + 1 hour prior to show 1

GORDON COONS: EXPLORING THE NATIVE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN THE MIDWEST FOUST-MANZ GALLERY October 25 - December 1, 2024 Reception: Art Talk In Gibson Street Entry November 8th 5-7pm Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-2:00 + 1 hour prior to show

ABOUT THE ARTIST Gordon Coons heritage is Ojibwa from Lake Superior Chippewa band of WI and Ottawa from Michigan.

He is an endorsed member of the Lac Courte Oreille’s Tribe of Northern WI. Gordon Style of images can be viewed as graphical design. His education in graphical style came from helping and watching his relatives create bead work.

It was a balance of style and design through the creation of beads that set the path of Gordons graphical style.

Gordon is a self-taught artist creating works in a variety of mediums including linoleum block prints, woodland art style paintings, ledger art with pencils and inks, and creating fumage cedar smoke prints.

ARTIST STATEMENT Gordon Coons is a painter, printmaker, and fumage artist. Largely self-taught, he paints in the Ojibwa Woodland style and creates fumage, and smoke art, by burning cedar. He embellishes his fumage pieces with 24-karat gold leaf. He also prints with linoleum blocks. Coons draws Inspiration from his Anishinaabe heritage, and his bright color palette comes from his natural surroundings in the Great Lakes region. “I also enjoy incorporating playfulness in my images, telling stories of relationships between Western and Native cultures, and the connection we have to our shared historical events,” he says in his artist statement. Coons exhibits nationally, and his work Is In permanent collections across the country. He regularly shows and wins awards at annual art markets such as SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market; the Native POP Festival In Rapid City, South Dakota; American Indian Community Housing 2

Organization, in Duluth, Minnesota; and the Elteljorg Festival In Indianapolis, Indiana. The Hopkins Center for the Arts and American Indian Community Housing Organization in Minnesota hosted a solo exhibition of his work.

More of his artwork can be seen online at gordoncoons.com.

WOODLAND ART STYLE I believe that the Woodland Art Style of art is created from the combination of Ojibwa petroglyphs (drawings or carvings on rocks) and images from birch bark scrolls. The images can also be identified as X-ray Vision. The inspiration for these images relies on Ojibwa clans and stories. The artist usually paints images with a heavy black outline and paints what is felt or perceived inside animals (or people). What is painted inside the animal or person represents a kind of spirit, a source of power.

[Spanish] El Estilo de Arte Woodland Art: Creo que el estilo de arte Woodland Art es una combinación de petroglifos Ojibwa (dibujos o tallas en rocas) e imágenes de rollos de corteza de abedul. Las imágenes también se pueden identificar como visión de rayos X. La inspiración de estas imágenes se basa en los clanes e historias Ojibwa. El artista suele pintar imágenes con un contorno negro pesado y pinta lo que se siente o se percibe dentro de los animales (o personas). Lo que está pintado dentro del animal o de la persona representa una especie de espíritu, una fuente de poder.

Translations by Oscar Hernandez and Luisana Mendez Escalanete

GORDON COONS, HARVEST MOON 3

GOOD TO KNOW PLEASE KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM ALL ARTWORK AND PEDESTALS

Be conscious of backpacks or strollers that may bump into walls, pedestals, or artwork. Do not touch artwork on display unless a label tells you specifically how to interact with the artwork.

SUPERVISE CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES

We strongly encourage children viewing the artwork on display. Please instruct children to not touch artwork on display, to not run in the gallery, and to be kind and respectful of other people viewing the artwork by viewing artworks quietly and keeping a safe distance from others. Children must be supervised by their guardian at all times.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Pablo Center at the Confluence encourages personal photography of our exhibits and permanent art collection. Please use care both for the artwork and the people viewing it. Please no flash.

SKETCHING

Yes, please. You may certainly sketch in our facility. We ask that you use a lapboard or clipboard. Please only use lead or colored pencils. Please do not use the walls or pedestals as supports for sketching.

ARTWORK FOR SALE All artwork pricing is set by the artist and is non-negotiable and non-refundable.

All artwork sales are by commission with Pablo Center at the Confluence. Your purchase supports our endeavors to present quality visual arts programming that is free and open to the public. To purchase a piece, please contact buyart@pablocenter.org. Thank you for considering.

ARTISTS STATEMENTS & BIOGRAPHIES Statements and biographies are written by the individual artist and are published with their permission. The views expressed are their own.

Thank You.

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ARTWORK MAN TRANSFERRING INTO HEALER

This image depicts my clan symbol, Makwa, who has three roles for the clan. Makwa is a protector, teacher, and healer. In this image man is inside Makwa learning how to be a healer. When man’s training is complete, he will immerge as a healer. This is the first step for training of the Ojibwa man on his transformation into a header for the tribe. The four directions, four seasons, four races, and the four ages of life, are represented by the four circles and black spirit lines connect all together.

[Spanish] El Hombre Transfiriendose/Convirtiéndose en Curandero Esta imágen representa el símbolo de mi clan hereditario, Makwa, que representa tres papeles para el clan. Makwa es el protector, el maestro, y el curandero. En esta imagen el hombre está dentro del Makwa, aprendiendo ser curandero. Cuando su entrenamiento esté completo, él emergerá curandero. Éste es el primer paso en el entrenamiento del hombre Ojibwa en su transformación para serlíder de su tribu. Las cuatro direcciones, las cuatro estaciones, las cuatro razas y las cuatro etapas de la vida, son representadas por los cuatro Círculos y las líneas negras conectan todo. Translation by Zamara Cuyun Artist: Gordon Coons Created © 2024 Original Golden Acrylic Painting on canvas Size: 40 inches high by 30 inches wide Image Style: Ojibwa Woodland Style Art

GORDON COONS, GRANDFATHER GRANDMOTHER 5

WASHITA 1868: REMEMBER OUR RELATIVES

The idea of this image came from a trip to Santa Fe Art Market. In Oklahoma on the western side of the state near the city of Cheyenne, OK is the historical site of Washita. In history stories, it is called the Battle of Washita. On November 27, 1868, Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer of the 7th US cavalry with the help of other soldiers followed a raiding party tracks that passed by the encampment of peaceful Chief Black Kettle.

Lt. Colonel C decided to attack, not a battle but a massacre of old men, women, and children. The younger men were out hunting game for the winter. Lt. Colonel C gathered their 875 horses and mules. Lt. Colonel C kept 225 animals and shot the rest, all 650, and left them in a pile at the site. Years later the rotted animals were turned into fertilizer.

Artist: Gordon Coons Original Relief Print Edition: Total of 10, Copyright © 2022 Medium: Cedar Smoke Paper Annigoni, from Cartiere Magnani mill in Italy, 100% cotton, acid-free, 250 grams, Beige Size: 32 inches high by 26 inches wide Price: $3,500

NATIVE LANDSCAPE UNDER THE NEW MOON

In this image, I represent Mothe Earth, the nourishment and life-giver to all of us. The image of all my Native Landscape images is of women, the giver of life. The New Moon is not visible and is dark in this image, I used cedar smoke, an element used for ceremonies in Native communities.

Artist: Gordon Coons Original Relief block Print Edition: Total of 15, Copyright © 2022 Medium: Cedar Smoke Paper Annigoni, from Cartiere Magnani mill in Italy,100% cotton, acid-free, 250 gsm, Beige Size: 32 inches high by 26 inches wide Price: $1,400

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SOLSTICE BLANKET

For this image, I wanted to represent two traditional celebrations in the Native community. One is the celebration of the Summer Solstice, and the other the tradition of bestowing blankets to individuals that celebrate our cultural links in history. Summer Solstice is the day with the longest period of sunlight of the year. The sunrise is represented by the four bands of 24K gold leaf. The Summer Solstice is recognized as one of the important celestial events of the year in the Native community. The use of the blanket represents the ceremony of important events. Warmth, protection and achievement is represented through the bestowing of a blanket to an individual.

Artist: Gordon Coons Original Relief print Edition: Total of 10, Copyright © 2023 Medium: Cedar smoke, 24K gold leaf, Paper Annigoni, from Cartiere Magnani mill in Italy, 100% cotton, acid-free, 250 grams, Beige Size: 32 inches high by 26 inches wide Price: $1,200

GRANDFATHER GRANDMOTHER

In this image, I wanted to express the celestial stories of our grandparents.

In this image I combined the Sun / Grandfather and the Moon / Grandmother together in harmony. The Sun is known in the Ojibwa community as Grandfather. The Moon is known in the Ojibwa community as Grandmother.

Artist: Gordon Coons Original Relief print Edition: Total of 15, Copyright © 2019 Medium: Cedar Smoke, 24K Gold Leaf, Aluminum Leaf Paper Annigoni, from Cartiere Magnani mill in Italy, 100% cotton, acid-free, 250 gsm, Beige Size: 12 inches high by 12 inches wide Price: $450

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ECLIPSE

In the past years, eclipses were not a welcome event. In 2017 while participating in the 96th Annual Santa Fe Indian Art Market the awesome cosmic phenomenon of the total eclipse was observed on Monday August 21 at 11:46:30 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This image is my recording of my observation of the total eclipse. Because of heavy overcast clouds I was only able to view the eclipse for five minutes. It was awesome.

Artist: Gordon Coons Original: Relief print Edition: MonoPrint, Copyright © 2024 Medium: Cedar Smoke, 24K Gold leaf Paper Annigoni, from Cartiere Magnani Mill in Italy,100% cotton, acid-free, 250 gm, Beige Size: 12 inches wide by 12 inches high Price $450

CEDAR SMOKE SPIRIT DANCERS

Ojibwa man is dancing with the spirit of the Raven in the full moon. Because of his intelligence the Raven has been given the ability to carry messages.

During the dance with the Ojibwa man the Raven takes the prayers from the man to the spirit world and, in turn, brings back messages from the spiritual realm.

[Spanish] Bailarines Espirituales de Humo de Cedro El hombre Ojibwa está bailando con el espíritu del Cuervo en la luna llena.

Debido a su inteligencia, el Cuervo recibió la habilidad de llevar mensajes.

Durante la danza con el hombre Ojibwa, el Cuervo lleva las oraciones del hombre al mundo de los espíritus y, a su vez, trae mensajes del reino espiritual.

Translations by Oscar Hernandez and Luisana Mendez Escalanete Artist: Gordon Coons Original Relief block print Edition: Total of 25, 8. Copyright © 2019 Medium: Cedar Smoke Paper Annigoni, from Cartiere Magnani mill in Italy, 100% cotton, acid-free, 250 gsm, Beige Size: 26 inches high by 26 inches wide Price: $1,400

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HARVEST MOON

“The Harvest Moon in an astronomical name and refers to the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere, and it appears in the sky shortly after sunset. It can occur in either September or October. Near the autumnal equinox of about 50 minutes, providing a few evenings of extra light after sunset to continue harvesting. At this time of year, crops such as corn, pumpkins, squash, and wild rice are ready for gathering (thus the name). The Harvest Moon usually a flaming orange and is represented by the copper leaf in this image. In the Ojibwa community the moon is a considered a cherished relative. By the Ojibwa, the moon is known as Grandmother (Nookomis).”

[Spanish] La Luna de la Cosecha La Luna de la Cosecha es un nombre astronómico y se refiere a la luna llena que ocurre más cerca del equinoccio de otoño en el hemisferio norte, y aparece en el cielo poco después del atardecer. Puede ocurrir en septiembre u octubre. Cerca del equinoccio de otoño de unos 50 minutos, se proporcionan algunas tardes de luz adicional después del atardecer para continuar con la cosecha. En esta época del año, los cultivos como el maíz, las calabazas, las calabazas y el arroz silvestre están listos para la recolección (de ahí el nombre). La luna de la cosecha suele ser una naranja llameante y está representada por la hoja de cobre en esta imagen. En la comunidad Ojibwa, la luna es considerada un pariente querido. Por los Ojibwa, la luna es conocida como Abuela (Nookomis).

Debido a su inteligencia, el Cuervo recibió la habilidad de llevar mensajes.

Los cuatro Cuervos llevan mensajes y oraciones a los Nookomis y, a su vez, traen mensajes de Nookomis. Las cuatro direcciones están representadas por los cuatro Cuervos en esta imagen.

Translations by Oscar Hernandez and Luisana Mendez Escalanete Artist: Gordon Coons Original: Relief print Edition: Total of 15, Copyright © 2019 Medium: Cedar Smoke, Copper Leaf Paper: Annigoni, from Cartiere Magnani mill in Italy, 100% cotton, acid-free, 250 gsm, Beige Size: 12 inches high by 12 inches wide Price: $450

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FOUR MESSENGERS

I enjoy watching and listening to the crows in our area during all four seasons. The four seasons and four directions are represented by the four circles in the corners of this image. The four seasons are winter, spring, summer, and fall. It’s a joy knowing that the crows will be here to celebrate the seasons. Because of his intelligence the Crow has been given the ability to carry messages. The four Crows are taking messages and prayers to the spirit world through the center circle and, in turn, bring back messages from the spiritual realm. The four directions are represented by the four circles in the corners of this image.

[Spanish] Cuatro Mensajeros: Disfruto viendo y escuchando a los cuervos en nuestra área durante las cuatro estaciones. Las cuatro estaciones y las cuatro direcciones están representadas por los cuatro círculos en las esquinas de esta imagen. Las cuatro estaciones son invierno, primavera, verano y otoño. Es una alegría saber que los cuervos estarán aquí para celebrar las estaciones. Debido a su inteligencia, el Cuervo recibió la habilidad de llevar mensajes. Los cuatro Cuervos llevan mensajes y oraciones al mundo de los espíritus a través del círculo central y, a su vez, traen mensajes del reino espiritual. Las cuatro direcciones están representadas por los cuatro círculos en las esquinas de esta imagen. Translations by Oscar Hernandez and Luisana Mendez Escalanete Artist: Gordon Coons Original Relief Print Edition: Total of 15, Copyright © 2022 Medium: Cedar Smoke Paper Annigoni, from Cartiere Magnani mill in Italy, 100% cotton, acid-free, 250 gsm, Beige Size: 26 inches high by 26 inches wide Price: $1,000

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SOLSTICE SUNRISE, II

This image represents the morning of the Summer Solstice, the day with the longest period of sunlight of the year. The sunrise is represented by the nine bands of 24K gold leaf. The Summer Solstice is recognized as one of the important celestial events of the year in the Native community.

Artist: Gordon Coons Original Relief Print Edition: Total of 15, Copyright © 2019 Medium: Cedar Smoke, 24K Gold Leaf Paper Annigoni, from Cartiere Magnani mill in Italy, 100% cotton, acid-free, 250 gm, Beige Size: 26 inches high by 26 inches wide Price: $1,400

LODGE, VIOLET VERSION

Artist: Gordon Coons Created Copyright © 2012 Medium: Gamblin © Oil Painting Pannel © Ampersand Art Supply, Inc. Gessobord Pannel Size: 30 inches high by 24 inches wide Price: $850

FOUR RAVENS

The four directions, four seasons, and the four races are represented by the four circles and black lines that connect all together.

Artist: Gordon Coons Created Copyright © 2024 Original Golden Acrylic Painting on canvas Size: 24 inches high by 22 inches wide Image Style: Ojibwa Woodland Style Art Price: $500

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OTTERS CONNECTING LAKE SUPERIOR AND THE ST. LOUIS RIVER

The great Otter was given the task by the four directions to open the water between Lake Superior and the Saint Louis River. The Saint Louis River flows on the north side of the Fond du Lac reservation before flowing into Lake Superior. Because of the ability of Otters to swim and slide on the backs in rivers, the Otter was given the task to remove the land between the Saint Louis River and Lake Superior. The new opening is near Duluth, Minnesota [Spanish] Las Nutrias Conectando el Lago Superior con el Rio St. Louis Las cuatro direcciones le dieron a la Gran Nutria la tarea de abrir las aguas entre el Lago Superior y el Río St. Louis. El Río St. Louis fluye al lado norte de la reservación Fond du Lac antes de entrar al Lago Superior.

Por su habilidad de nadar y deslizarse sobre su espalda en los ríos, le dieron a la Nutria la tarea de quitar la tierra que entre el Río St. Louis y el Lago Superior. La nueva apertura que hizo queda cerca de la ciudad de Duluth, Minnesota. Translation by Zamara Cuyun Artist: Gordon Coons Created Copyright © 2020 Medium: Original Golden Acrylic® paint on canvas Size: 28 inches high by 22 inches wide Image Style: Ojibwa Woodland Style Art Price: $650

GIRL WITH THE TURQUOISE NECKLACE

I enjoy viewing all type of artist and having fun with my creations. I got the idea for this image from a show titled “Girl with a Peral Earing.” Johannes Vermeer painted the original image, and I made my girl with a turquoise necklace. Enjoy.

Artist: Gordon Coons Original Relief print Edition Total of 19, Copyright © 2018 Medium: Oil Based Inks, Paper Kinwashi Natural Japanese rice paper.

Size: 16 inches high by 16 inches wide on Price: $425

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FLOWERS I

Artist: Gordon Coons Created Copyright © 2024 Medium: Original Golden Acrylic Painting on canvas Size: 30 inches high by 10 inches wide Image Style: Ojibwa Woodland Style Art Price: $425

FLOWERS III

Artist: Gordon Coons Created Copyright © 2024 Medium: Original Golden Acrylic Painting on canvas Size: 30 inches high by 10 inches wide Image Style: Ojibwa Woodland Style Art Price: $425

FOUR CROWS II

The four directions, four seasons, and the four races are represented by the four circles and black lines that connect all together. Each of the Four Crows have stylized Thunderbirds.

Artist: Gordon Coons Created Copyright © 2024 Medium: Original Golden Acrylic Painting on canvas Size: 16 inches high by 20 inches wide Image Style: Ojibwa Woodland Style Art

GORDON COONS, ECLIPSE 13

BRADY & JEANNE FOUST GALLERY Brady Foust taught in the geography department at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Caire from 1971 to 2008. After retirement, he was one of three founders of HazardHub which was established six years ago. It quickly became one of the leading providers of geospatical hazard data to the insurance industry. It was purchased by Guidewire Software in August 2021. Jeanne Foust had a 30-year career at Esri, the world’s leading geographic information systems (GIS) software producer. She retired in 2021. Brady and Jeanne are longtime supporters of the arts in Eau Claire.

Brady was involved in the development of Pablo Center from the beginning.

During its construction, he conducted over 60 tours of the work in progress.

He also served on the Confluence Council, Inc. Board of Pablo Center as a member, Vice President, Present, and Past President.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT We acknowledge that Pablo Center at the Confluence occupies the sacred and ancestral lands of Indigenous Peoples. We honor the land of the Ojibwe and Dakota Nations.

INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT Pablo Center at the Confluence will not remain silent when what the community needs is for its local organizations to represent them. Pablo Center at the Confluence, while listening to and learning from the community, pledges to address structural and historical inequities in the arts, identify and address implicit biases and practices through the organizational structure of Pablo Center, and respond to the events of our time that test relationships within the community through dialogue, educational and artistic programming, and care.

Our first act towards this pledge is the creation of the Committee for Inclusive and Just Engagement and Practices, which is dedicated to the resolution of issues and the creation of opportunities related to social justice.

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EXPLORE OUR EXHIBITS Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-2:00 + 1 hour prior to show

Terwilliger and Terwilliger: The Art of Erika and Steve November 18 - January 12, 2024 JAMES W HANSON GALLERY Artist Reception December 13th, 6-8pm

UWEC BFA Student Showcase December 6 - January 19, 2024 FOUST GALLERY

Mel Sundby: A Retrospective January 17- March 16, 2025 JAMES HANSEN GALLERY

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128 Graham Avenue Eau Claire, WI 54701

FREE and Open to the public Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. +1 hour before events

To purchase a work of art, contact: buyart@pablocenter.org

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