Artwork of the Week: January 27
Eight brightly lit tables rest at the center of our most recent exhibition, Kéyah: Our Home. This central installation artwork in the gallery, titled Kéyah, was assembled by contemporary Diné (Navajo) artist Eugene Tapahe. It features different soil samples, projections, and soft audio recordings to amplify the minimalist and immersive nature of the installation. Inspired by his ancestors and their connections to the Southwestern United States, Tapahe seeks to build bridges between peoples, places, and communities of the region through his artwork.
The title of this work is the Diné word for homeland, but does not exclusively represent Tapahe’s own physical and spiritual connection to Mother Earth. Rather, the installation is a collaboration between the artist and local individuals interested in participating in this representation of Home. Carefully collected soil samples from places that have significance to individuals throughout the United States and Canada are sent to Tapahe for processing and cleansing before being incorporated into the artwork. The artist encourages contributors submitting soil to research and acknowledge the Indigenous caretakers of the land. In seeking to include soil samples from beyond his Diné homeland, Tapahe favors a greater understanding of overall human unity and connectivity in the world through this mixed media installation.
Come experience Kéyah: Our Home until April 26th, 2025, and even submit a soil sample of your own for Tapahe’s future projects.
