Bently Spang

Last updated

Bently Spang
Born1960 (age 63–64)
Crow Indian Reservation [1]
OccupationMultidisciplinary artist

Bently Spang (born 1960) is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, writer, curator and an enrolled member of the Tsitsistas/Suhtai Nation (a.k.a. Northern Cheyenne) in Montana. His work has been exhibited widely in North America, South America, and Europe. [2]

Contents

Biography

Spang is an enrolled member of the Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Northern Cheyenne) Nation in southeastern Montana and was born at the Crow-Northern Cheyenne Indian Hospital on the Crow Reservation located in Crow Agency, Montana in 1960. [3] Spang grew up both on and off the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, living in places such as Sitka, Alaska and Portland, Oregon. [4] [5] : 300  He graduated from Montana State University Billings and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. [6] [7] He taught at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston from 2007 to 2009 as a full-time Visiting Faculty Member in Video. [8] The University of Wyoming's American Indian Study Program named Spang its "Eminent Artist in Residence" for the spring semester of 2014. During this time he taught a class on Native American art and held exhibitions at the university's art museum. [9] Spang now works as an independent artist and has a studio in Billings, Montana. [10]

Art works

Spang's early work included mixed media sculptures, often made out of metal, and installations. His later work focused on incorporating digital technologies such as film and photography. [11] Spang drew inspiration for his work in mixed media from how his Cheyenne ancestors incorporated European materials into their artwork; he has stated, "There was this fearlessness about mediums that we don't really have today." [7] Spang considers his art autobiographical, addressing his cultural identity as a Cheyenne living in modern society and bridging the gap between these two worlds. [5] : 288–289  Spang often adds humor to his works to help present these themes to his audience. [7]

For example, in his sculpture Pevah (meaning "good" in Cheyenne), Spang used stone and wood to signify the Cheyenne part of him, and he used aluminum to signify the contemporary world. In constructing the project, he explained, "The metal binds the stone, the wood binds them both. I am bound by my culture; we are still here after all." [5] : 295  Another one of Spang's sculptures is inspired by the Cheyenne tradition of adorning the fringe of war shirts with the hairs from the warrior's community. The fringe on Spang's War Shirt #1 is likewise composed of the photographic negatives of people he knows to show that he draws his strength from the community. [12]

Spang collaborated with techno DJ Bert Benally to create the Techno Pow Wow, a mix of rave dance culture with a traditional pow wow. [13] This piece was inspired by the 1990s electronic music movement. Spang claimed that the energy and effortless dancing reminded him of the pow wows at the reservation. Spang performed as part of this piece as "The Blue Guy", the tribal chief figure of the future. [14] Through the installation's mix of cultural music and dance, Spang hoped to showcase the similarities between Native American and modern culture. [1] In his New American Relics: Redux 2 (2009), Spang satirized museums and anthropologists' depiction of indigenous America as a "lost culture" using irony. He designed a futuristic museum exhibit for the "vit-heut" (meaning "white man" in Northern Cheyenne) with "artifacts" molded from the plastic encasings of ordinary modern objects. [2] [7]

From February to March 2014, Spang presented his "Bently Spang: On Fire" exhibition at the University of Wyoming Art Museum, which told the story of the 2012 Ash Creek wildfire. [15] In July 2017, Spang presented the video installation "War Shirt #6 – Waterways" as part of his Modern Warrior Series, at the Dry Creek Schoolhouse in Belgrade, Montana. [16] [17] The installation was a series of moving images within a steel war shirt conveying Spang's relationship with water. [18]

Awards and recognition

In 2003, Spang won an Outstanding Alumni Award from MSU Billings for "Exceptional Contribution" [19] and a Woodrow Wilson Foundation: Imagining America grant. The next year, he was awarded a Paul G. Allen Family Foundation Grant for his residency in conjunction with the Techno Powwow Project. Spang has also gained artist fellowships from the Creative Capital Foundation and the Joan Mitchell Foundation. [11] He was one of the eight artists who received the 2017 Artist's Innovation Award from the Montana Arts Council and a 2018 recipient of the Native Arts and Culture Foundation National Artist Fellowship. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crow people</span> Indigenous ethnic group in North America

The Crow, whose autonym is Apsáalooke, also spelled Absaroka, are Native Americans living primarily in southern Montana. Today, the Crow people have a federally recognized tribe, the Crow Tribe of Montana, with an Indian reservation, the Crow Indian Reservation, located in the south-central part of the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheyenne</span> Native American Indian tribe from the Great Plains

The Cheyenne are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. The Cheyenne comprise two Native American tribes, the Só'taeo'o or Só'taétaneo'o and the Tsétsêhéstâhese ; the tribes merged in the early 19th century. Today, the Cheyenne people are split into two federally recognized nations: the Southern Cheyenne, who are enrolled in the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Oklahoma, and the Northern Cheyenne, who are enrolled in the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana. The Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian language family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billings, Montana</span> Largest city in Montana, U.S.

Billings is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Montana, with a population of 117,116 as of the 2020 census. Located in the south-central portion of the state, it is the seat of Yellowstone County and the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area, which had a population of 184,167 in the 2020 census. With one of the largest trade areas in the United States, Billings is the trade and distribution center for much of Montana east of the Continental Divide. Billings is also the largest retail destination for much of the same area. The Billings Chamber of Commerce claims the area of commerce covers more than 125,000 square miles (320,000 km2). In 2009, it was estimated to serve over 500,000 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Powwow</span> Native American and First Nations cultural dance gathering

A powwow is a gathering with dances held by many Native American and First Nations communities. Powwows today are an opportunity for Indigenous people to socialize, dance, sing, and honor their cultures. Powwows may be private or public, indoors or outdoors. Dancing events can be competitive with monetary prizes. Powwows vary in length from single-day to weeklong events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montana State University Billings</span> Public university in Billings, Montana, US

Montana State University Billings (or MSU Billings) is a public university in Billings, Montana. It is the state's third largest university. Its campus is located on 110 acres in downtown Billings. Formerly Eastern Montana Normal School at its founding in 1927, the Normal School changed its name to Eastern Montana College of Education in 1949. It was again renamed in 1965 as Eastern Montana College (EMC). It merged into the Montana University System in 1994 under its present name. Currently, the university offers over 100 specialized programs for certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees through the university's five colleges. The five colleges of Montana State University Billings are Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Health Professions and Science, Education, and City College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Bill Center of the West</span> American West museums in Wyoming, United States

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, formerly known as the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, is a complex of five museums and a research library featuring art and artifacts of the American West located in Cody, Wyoming. The five museums include the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Plains Indians Museum, the Whitney Western Art Museum, the Draper Natural History Museum, and the Cody Firearms Museum. Founded in 1917 to preserve the legacy and vision of Col. William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is the oldest and most comprehensive museum complex of the West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wind River Indian Reservation</span> Indian reservation in Wyoming, United States

The Wind River Indian Reservation, in the west-central portion of the U.S. state of Wyoming, is shared by two Native American tribes, the Eastern Shoshone and the Northern Arapaho. Roughly 60 mi (97 km) east to west by 50 mi (80 km) north to south, the Indian reservation is located in the Wind River Basin, and includes portions of the Wind River Range, Owl Creek Mountains, and Absaroka Range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crow Indian Reservation</span> Indian reservation in United States, Crow

The Crow Indian Reservation is the homeland of the Crow Tribe. Established 1868, the reservation is located in parts of Big Horn, Yellowstone, and Treasure counties in southern Montana in the United States. The Crow Tribe has an enrolled membership of approximately 11,000, of whom 7,900 reside in the reservation. 20% speak Crow as their first language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation</span> Indian Reservation in Montana, United States

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation is the federally recognized Northern Cheyenne tribe. Located in southeastern Montana, the reservation is approximately 690 square miles (1,800 km2) in size and home to approximately 6,000 Cheyenne people. The tribal and government headquarters are located in Lame Deer, also the home of the annual Northern Cheyenne pow wow.

George Paul Horse Capture (A'aninin) was an anthropologist, activist, and writer.

<i>Powwow Highway</i> 1989 film directed by Jonathan Wacks

Powwow Highway is a 1989 comedy-drama film from George Harrison's HandMade Films Company, directed by Jonathan Wacks. Based on the novel Powwow Highway by David Seals, it features A Martinez, Gary Farmer, Joanelle Romero and Amanda Wyss. Wes Studi and Graham Greene, who were relatively unknown actors at the time, have small supporting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ledger art</span> Native American narrative art

Ledger art is narrative drawing or painting on paper or cloth, predominantly practiced by Plains Indian, but also from the Plateau and Great Basin. Ledger art flourished primarily from the 1860s to the 1920s. A revival of ledger art began in the 1960s and 1970s. The term comes from the accounting ledger books that were a common source of paper for Plains Indians during the late 19th century.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes are a united, federally recognized tribe of Southern Arapaho and Southern Cheyenne people in western Oklahoma.

John Woodenlegs was a Native American writer, educator, and the tribal president of the Northern Cheyenne from 1955 to 1968. In 1975, he founded Chief Dull Knife College, a community college located in Lame Deer, Montana.

James Kenneth "J.K." Ralston was an American painter of the Old American West whose primary topics were the American West and images of cowboys and American Indians. He also did commercial artwork.

Thomas C. Molesworth (1890–1977) was an American furniture designer who was a significant figure in the creation of a distinctly Western style of furniture and accessories, using hides, horn and natural wood. Molesworth's style drew from the Arts and Crafts Movement and from vernacular design characteristics of western American ranches and farms. He is credited with popularizing the "cowboy furniture" style. To produce his designs, Molesworth operated the Shoshone Furniture Company from 1931 to 1961 in Cody, Wyoming with his wife, LaVerne Johnston Molesworth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeffrey Gibson</span> Native American painter and sculptor from New York, U.S.

Jeffrey A. Gibson is an American Mississippi Choctaw/Cherokee painter and sculptor. He has lived and worked in Brooklyn, New York; Hudson, New York; and Germantown, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bethany Yellowtail</span> Fashion designer

Bethany Yellowtail is a Native American fashion designer based in Los Angeles, California. Known for her work that reflects her Indigenous heritage, she is an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and a descendant of the Crow Tribe of Montana. She serves as designer and CEO for her line B.Yellowtail.

Brookney Beaverheart Claire Boston Gondara is an American academic administrator, activist, and advocate for women and minorities in higher education. She is associate dean of professional studies and education at Santa Fe Community College. Gondara served as president of Iḷisaġvik College, the only tribal college in Alaska, from 2010 to 2011.

Edward T. Grigware was an American painter. He painted murals for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as for banks.

References

  1. 1 2 "Bently Spang: Techno Powwow". Creative Capital. New York, NY. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Mattes, Catherine. "Bently Spang". Museum of Contemporary Native Arts . Institute of American Indian Arts. Archived from the original on January 14, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  3. ↑ Bently Spang
  4. ↑ The artist
  5. 1 2 3 Hansen, Emma I. (2007). Memory and Vision: Arts, Cultures, and Lives of Plains Indian People. Cody, Wyoming: Buffalo Bill Historical Center. ISBN   978-0-295-98580-0.
  6. ↑ "American Indian Housing Initiative Will Link Tribal and Academic Communities". College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. University of Wisconsin-Madison. May 18, 2005. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Rod, Luann (August 13, 2018). "Bently Spang examines culture with humor in Emerson installation". Bozeman Daily Chronicle . Bozeman, Montana. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Bently Spang". SMFA Boston. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Spang is UW American Indian Studies Program Eminent Artist in Residence". University of Wyoming. January 7, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  10. ↑ "bently spang". ArtMuseum.org. Yellowstone Art Museum. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  11. 1 2 Hoffman, Elizabeth Delaney (2012). "Leap of Faith". American Indians and Popular Culture, Volume 1. Santa Barbara, California: Praeger. p. 201. ISBN   978-0313379901.
  12. ↑ Patricia A., Johnston (2006). Seeing High & Low: Representing Social Conflict in American Visual Culture. Berkeley, CA: University of California. pp. 138–9. ISBN   9780520241886.
  13. ↑ "Bently Spang: Techno Powwow: Overview". Creative Capital. New York, NY. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  14. ↑ Larsen, Jessica Hunter (Fall 2007). "Tekcno Powwow: Ancient Rhythms for the I-Pod Generation" (PDF). La Tertulia. 23 (3). Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Eminent Artist in Residence Bently Spang Public Programs Scheduled at UW". University of Wyoming. January 31, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  16. ↑ Webb, Jaci (July 20, 2017). "WaterWorks series features celebrated Northern Cheyenne artist Bently Spang". Billings Gazette. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  17. ↑ Ragain, Melissa (August 17, 2018). "Artists Reflect on Water Scarcity in a Gentrifying Montana Town". Hyperallergic. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  18. ↑ Gianelli, Sarah (July 19, 2017). "'WaterWorks' flows to the wetlands". Explore Big Sky. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Outstanding Alumni of the 2nd Millennium". Montana State University Billings. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  20. ↑ Webb, Jaci (January 2, 2018). "Northern Cheyenne artist Bently Spang wins MAC award". Billings Gazette. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.