Moving Messages

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s Trade Canoe for the North Pole is populated with images of palm trees, buffalo, and rubber ducks, among others, which ominously remind viewers of the effects of people's actions in transforming the environment and increasing global warming. Smith exclaims, “fossil fuel and humans are turning our world into desert.”  The artist also includes a stereotyped pop culture version of a Native American in the fictional character Tonto, companion to the Lone Ranger. Surrounding the canoe, she incorporates clippings like "What does it mean to be American?,” “Joy to the Frugal,” and “It doesn’t take an accident.” Using darkened figures and vivid hues, the artist whimsically depicts scenes of chaos and violence that was carried over to their land. She clarifies, “Remember, when the trade canoes came up river, they would be piled with bags of moldy flour, wormy beef, whiskey laced with lead, and blankets smeared with smallpox.” The artist’s canoes represent floating vessels of remembrance and forewarning. Smith reflects, “I was doing work about the environment and doing paintings about the environment and here we are today, you know climate change is just becoming a big issue but I was on that message and continually on that message with my work.”

Activity

“It’s important to speak up when you believe in something so strongly. I passionately believe in the life that I live. I think that my work will go on being political in some way.” 
–Jaune Quick-to-See Smith

How would you creatively communicate a message about something relevant to you?
In addition to her artist and activist work focused on Native American causes, including supporting younger generations of Native American artists, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith is profoundly concerned with environmental causes. She employs canoes in her artworks as vehicles that carry important messages from history, perhaps unknown by some, and current pressing issues. Smith emphasizes, “This work is really important to me. It’s not just about the paintings, although, I’m a painter and I love to paint and I love moving paint around, but it is about getting the messages out that were not there when I was a little girl here.”

Ask students to think about a contemporary issue or concern that is of importance to them. Have them discuss what messages they would like to communicate regarding the subject matter in question. Encourage them to narrow down the ideas they want to spread and consider what images, objects or actions would best accompany their declarations. Invite them to create their message artworks and share them with others. Encourage students to inquire about how their communications are received by different audiences.