| Jason Elliot Clark Artist Statement: 
Myths and Legends Myth- a fable; a fictitious person or thing; imaginary; an old story about imaginary people. A commonly believed but false idea. A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology. Legend- a traditional story; a story that is based on real events, people, places etc. a story coming down from the past; especially: one popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable. A story that has been passed down for generations, especially one that is presented as history. Traditionally among the Algonquian speaking people, oral tradition was one of the most important methods of teaching and passing on the sacred knowledge and practices. These Algonquin legends and stories are very important to me because they define and explain our origins, our environment, and life in general. These legends explain why events occur and how to act and react to our environment. It is through these legends that I am given the knowledge and tools to live in the world. My work is rooted in the traditional stories, teachings, and beliefs of my ancestors and the erroneous stories, teachings, and beliefs of western society about Native Americans and our environment. These are the stories that have shaped and formed my life. They illustrate how I see the world around me and how I have learned to respect it. The images and stories in my work are reflections or parts of me. The subjects portrayed in my art are from personal experiences, the legends of my Algonquin heritage, and what people are being taught about Native Americans and our environment by western culture through parents, teachers, textbooks, films, television, cartoons, consumer advertisements, products, and through various other transmitters of misinformation. The reality that both my Algonquin culture and the dominant culture each have legends and stories that the other perceives to be invalid myths and fabrications intrigues me. My work is based on this reality. I am taking myths and legends from both cultures and visually exploring them from both a Contemporary Woodland Art and a western aesthetic. I use these two distinct styles to speak in two voices and to reflect my own existence as being both of Indian and European decent. These two voices speak of two parallel cultures, one not subordinate to or assimilating the other. They both speak of the same issue, the use of legends and myths as a tool for teaching the generations to come. My works are creations that convey broader cultural values and beliefs. I am not seeking to copy the traditional art forms of the past, but to interpret them into contemporary art so I can explore their meanings and use them in the context of my life. My intent is to extract central philosophical values or principles from these stories that are pertinent today. For me it is a way of preserving knowledge for my children and future descendants. Contact Information Email: jclark@bemidjistate.edu |
