Food & Drink
Photographer Matika Wilbur’s New Exhibit at the Tacoma Art Museum
Photographer Matika Wilbur shows us what real Indians look like
By Seattle Mag May 5, 2014
This article originally appeared in the May 2014 issue of Seattle magazine.
!–paging_filter–p“What does it mean to be an indian? What is Indian enough?” These are questions artist Matika Wilbur asks her subjects as she travels across the country interviewing and photographing members of more than 560 federally recognized Native American tribes. You can hear the diverse answers via audio clips—and see the similarly varied portraits—in the new exhibit emPhotographic Proof of Contemporary Indians: a href=”http://\/\/seattlemag.com.239elwb01.blackmesh.com/gallery/photographic-memories“Matika Wilbur’s Project 562/a/em. A member of the Swinomish and Tulalip tribes, Wilbur began her journey in late 2012, motivated by the desire to refute stereotypes about Native Americans and reveal the vibrant individuality present in these indigenous communities. On her travel blog (a href=”http://www.matikawilbur.com/blog” target=”_blank”matikawilbur.com/blog/a), Wilbur says, “We survived genocide. We survived relocation. We refuse termination. And we are doing our best to move beyond assimilation and the pressures of extinction.” By collecting rich histories and contemporary stories—and creating genuine portraits—Wilbur is helping to ensure the Native population is not just a thing of the past. 5/17–10/5 (artist lecture: 5/17, 4 p.m.). Times and prices vary.em Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave.; 253.272.4258;a href=”http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org” target=”_blank” tacomaartmuseum.org/a /em/p
Follow Us
Seattle Author Wins Pulitzer Prize
Tessa Hulls wins for Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir
Seattle author Tessa Hulls has added a Pulitzer Prize to her growing list of accolades for Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir. The 2025 Pulitzers were announced May 5. Feeding Ghosts won in the “Memoir or Autobiography” category. As Seattle magazine wrote in a profile of Hulls last year, Feeding Ghosts “braids together the narratives of…
These Cultural Landmarks Honor Seattle’s AANHPI Community
Here’s an overview of some notable spots and happenings
The first Asian American immigrants landed in Seattle in the 1860s, just a decade after the city’s founding in 1852. Seattle is plentiful with sites that tell crucial stories about Seattle’s Asian American community, whether you choose to learn about historic neighborhoods and buildings in the International District or browse sculptures and paintings at the…
Book Excerpt: Old White Man Writing
Seattle resident Joshua Gidding examines his own white privilege
In his book, Old White Man Writing, Seattle resident Joshua Gidding attempts to come to terms with his privilege. Gidding grapples with the rapidly changing cultural norms in 21st-century America while examining his own racial biases and prejudices. As Manhattan Book Review notes: “Old White Man Writing is an introspective deep dive into an eventful life…
Glacial Expressions
Local scientist and painter Jill Pelto spotlights climate change in a multi-artist show at Slip Gallery
The divide between the arts and sciences is long-fostered and well-documented. From elementary school onward, children are often singled out for their penchant for math or artistic ability and guided toward classes — and later careers — that align with their right or left brain tendencies. For Jill Pelto — a local climate scientist, painter,…