Holly Wilson
The native artist Holly Wilson is a part of the Lenape tribe and considers herself a storyteller. The narrative that she weaves is of personal and Universal stories all of which are, to her, sacred and precious in their form. The inspiration behind these stories comes from her interest in the stories of her "ancestors...family -- and...community"(Holly Wilson 2023). Through this, she is able to create a tapestry that is able to tell these stories of the past through her art pieces. Wilson takes and references traditional native stories that her mother told to her as a child within her artworks simultaneously symbolizing "transformation and obfuscation"(Holly Wilson 2023). Her artwork reflects the themes of memory, lineage, and resilience within her cultural heritage.
Within Wilson's art piece, her thoughts and inspiration behind can be seen. Together, these pieces illustrate Wilson’s dedication to representing Native American identity as not just an isolated past but a living continuum. Each work demonstrates her commitment to storytelling, using art to honor her ancestors and inspire future generations. Wilson’s unique perspective, rooted in both personal memory and collective history, makes her work an invaluable addition to this essay. Her art not only embodies the resilience and richness of Native American culture but also invites reflection on the vital role of memory, lineage, and community in shaping one’s identity.
I chose Wilson as one of the artists I wished to display in my exhibit because of her perspective on the past and the continuum of history. I felt as though her thoughts on history and culture aligned with the objective of this exhibit which was the need to continue as represented by some of her copper work of the “stick people”(Holly Wilson 2023). The specific artwork that caused me to be drawn to her work, has had the opportunity to be host in various art exhibits in the past. Her work is meant to not just capture a specific time but incorporate all aspects of history and the future into it.