INTRODUCING THE GIFT SERIES OF THE QUEUE

A biweekly roundup for and by the craft community, the Gift series of The Queue introduces you to the artists featured in the most recent issue of American Craft. We invite these inspiring individuals to share personally about their lives and work as well as the projects, books, podcasts, and more that are inspiring them right now.

SHARING GIFTS AND GRATITUDE THROUGH ONE’S CREATIONS

Dyani White Hawk (Sičáŋǧu Lakota) [MFA ’11] is a visual artist and independent curator based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is one of three artists featured in “The Gifts in Making.” In collaboration with the American Craft Council, The Great Northern Festival, and Faribault Woolen Mill, Dyani has also designed a limited-edition blanked entitled Guided, which is available for pre-order now (read more below). @dwhitehawk

How do you describe your work or practice in 50 words or less?
I am a visual artist. My studio practice is rooted in the histories of abstraction found in easel painting and Indigenous arts such as beadwork and quillwork. My practice intertwines these histories physically and conceptually, primarily through two-dimensional pieces, yet recent works have incorporated sculpture, photography, and video installation.

During this time of isolation and social unrest, where are you finding beauty and how are you staying grounded?
I find beauty in the tremendous amounts of work being done to achieve social justice and to push back against the racial, sexual, gender, age, and socio-economic discrimination plaguing our country and our world. Seeing people come together in increasing numbers and ways to demand a healthier future for all life is a beautiful thing.

I find beauty in my children, my family, friendships, and another day of life given. An active and intentional practice of gratitude is always important, but all the more apparent in times like this when we are also faced with increased and deep struggle.

Running, creating, and prayer have long been my greatest sources of therapy or re-centering. When I am really struggling, it is these things, combined with active gratitude and my family that I lean on to help bring me back to my center, to remain grounded and present.