Douglas Miles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Douglas Miles Sr
|
|
|---|---|
Miles in 2008
|
|
| Born | December 27, 1963 Carrizo, Arizona, U.S.
|
| Known for | Street art, skateboard art, stencil art, painting, printmaking |
| Movement | Apache art, Native pop |
Douglas Miles is a talented artist from Arizona. He is a painter, printmaker, and photographer. He is also known for starting Apache Skateboards and the Apache Skate Team. Douglas Miles is from the White Mountain Apache, San Carlos Apache, and Akimel O'odham tribes.
Contents
Early Life and Art Journey
Douglas Miles was born in Carrizo, Arizona. This is on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. He grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. Later, he moved back to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.
As a young person, Miles loved to draw. He copied images from cartoons, sci-fi stories, and comic books. He studied at the Al Collins Graphic Design School in Phoenix. From 1978 to 1980, he attended Bostrom Alternative High School. During this time, he began creating street art.
Apache Skateboards: Art and Culture
Douglas Miles noticed his son practicing skateboarding. He saw how skateboarding was like the Apache warrior tradition. Both need lots of focus, strength, and the ability to handle pain. Miles realized there were no skateboards that showed Apache culture. So, he painted a skateboard deck himself. He gave it to his son, and this idea grew into Apache Skateboards.
Starting Apache Skateboards
Apache Skateboards began in 2002. It was one of the first skateboard companies owned by Native Americans. Many Native artists have worked with Miles on this project. These artists include Razelle Bennally, Tracy Polk Jr., and Douglas Miles Jr. Others are Keith Secola, Reuben Ringlero, Irwin Lewis, Tony Steele, and Tashadawn Hastings.
The Apache Skate Team
The group is also known as the Apache Skate Team. They put on skateboarding shows. They organize skateboard contests and concerts. They also set up art shows across the country. They often visit Indian reservations in the American Southwest.
Miles explained his art to Shade magazine. He said, "Painting on the skateboards... opens up a whole new way for me." He believes his skateboards are both traditional and modern. He asks, "Are they fine art or pop art? Why can't they be both?"
Connecting Art and Youth Culture
Miles' work often focuses on Native American youth. He highlights Apache culture and life on reservations. He wants to show "Indian people" living in the 21st century. He feels they should not just be seen as museum pieces.
Miles and Apache Skateboards have found new ways to share art and skateboarding. They mix fine art, pop culture, and sports. They have helped change old ideas about Native American art. These old ideas were often based on how people studied cultures.
Native Agents Collective
Together, they helped create an artist group called Native Agents. This group includes visual artists like Micah Wesley (Muscogee Creek-Kiowa). It also includes Rose B. Simpson (Santa Clara Pueblo-descent) and Yatika Starr Fields (Osage-Muscogee Creek-Cherokee). These artists joined the Apache Skateboard group.
Native Agents organize "Pop Life" events. These events combine visual art, music, and skateboarding. They are inspired by the "do-it-yourself" spirit of punk culture.
Projects and Collaborations
Apache Skateboards is always busy. They work on films, photography, and fine art. They also do skateboarding events, murals, and multimedia projects. They help with community projects and skate park planning. They design clothes and work on television and film projects. They also speak at youth conferences.
They made a documentary called "Walk Like a Warrior: The Apache Skateboards Story." Douglas Miles and Franck Boistel directed this film together.
In 2008, Apache Skateboards worked with iPath Footwear. They created the I-PACHE collection. This collection included sneakers, hats, and T-shirts. All these items featured Douglas Miles' original designs.
In 2019, Miles and Apache Skateboards were in the documentary film The Mystery of Now. In the film, Miles talks about the history of life on the San Carlos Apache reservation. The Mystery of Now was shown in National Geographic's short film showcase.
Notable Art Shows
Douglas Miles' work and Apache Skateboards have been shown in many places. Here are some of his notable exhibits:
- 2011 Indian Ink II. Pravus Gallery. Phoenix, Arizona.
- 2010 Indian Ink I. Legends Santa Fe. Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- 2008 Apache: Douglas Miles. Officially Closed: Dead Letter Department. Los Angeles, California.
- 2005 Pop Life. Wilson College, Princeton University.
- 2005 Reservation Radical/Apache Skateboards: The Art of Douglas Miles. Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. Santa Cruz, California.
- 2004–2007 Native Views: Influences of Modern Culture. Art Train USA. This was a traveling exhibit.
- 2004 Native Nollies: Skateboard Deck Art. Institute of American Indian Arts Museum, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- 2003 Santa Fe Indian Market. SWAIA. He won First Place in Mixed Media.
- 2003 Heard Museum Indian Art Market. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. He won Best of Painting.
Apache Skateboards has also worked with many tribes and universities. These include the Gila River Tribe, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and Navajo Nation. They have also worked with Brown University and Harvard University.
Working with Susan Folwell
Douglas Miles teamed up with Santa Clara Pueblo potter Susan Folwell. They created the "Blood and Dirt" collection. This collection featured painted pottery works by both artists. The art had a modern style that commented on society.
Art Collections
Several of Douglas Miles' artworks are in the National Museum of the American Indian. His paintings are also in private collections. These are found in France, Germany, New York, and Los Angeles.
Miles' and Apache Skateboard's art is also in the permanent collections of several museums. These include the Montclair Art Museum and the Eiteljorg Museum. Their art is also at the IAIA Museum, Warner Brothers Studios, and The Eddie Basha Collection. He had a temporary exhibit at the Arizona Capitol Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. This exhibit ran from November 22nd to January 22nd, 2018.
