Marcus Amerman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marcus Amerman
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| Born | 1959 (age 65–66) Phoenix, Arizona, United States
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| Nationality |  Choctaw Nation United States |
| Education | BFA Whitman College College of Santa Fe Institute of American Indian Arts Anthropology Film Center |
| Known for | Beadwork, glass art, painting, fashion design, performance |
| Movement | Photorealism, Native pop |
Marcus Amerman, born in 1959, is a talented artist from the Choctaw Nation. He creates amazing art using beadwork, glass art, and paint. He also designs clothes and performs! Marcus lives in Idaho and is famous for his super realistic portraits made with tiny beads.
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Early Life and Learning
Marcus Amerman was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1959. He spent his childhood in the Pacific Northwest. When he was just 10 years old, his aunt taught him how to do traditional Native American beadwork. This was a very important skill he learned early on.
He went to college and earned a special degree in Fine Arts from Whitman College. He also studied art at the Institute of American Indian Arts and learned about making films at the Anthropology Film Center.
Marcus Amerman's Artworks
Marcus Amerman is known for mixing different types of art together. For example, he uses his beautiful beadwork to create unique clothing designs. These outfits are often part of his exciting performance art shows.
His paintings and glass art pieces use bright, lively colors, just like his beadwork. He has even made giant beads out of glass!
Realistic Beadwork Portraits
Marcus Amerman first started making realistic beadwork in 1993. One of his famous early pieces was the Iron Horse Jacket. This was a leather jacket with a very detailed picture of actress Brooke Shields made entirely from beads.
Later, he began making portrait bracelets. He has created beadwork portraits of many important people from history, like Lloyd Kiva New. He also makes portraits of pop culture stars, such as Janet Jackson. Ideas from comic book superheroes often appear in his work too.
Paintings and Glass Art
Marcus Amerman's paintings are very expressive. They often show his Choctaw heritage, including designs from the ancient Mississippian culture.
His glass art also features Mississippian designs. However, he often creates modern designs, like globes of the Earth.
Where to See His Art
Marcus Amerman's artwork can be found in many important museums and collections. These include:
- The George Gustav Heye Center
- The National Museum of the American Indian
- The American Museum of Natural History
- The Heard Museum
- The Portland Art Museum
- The Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe
- The Sequoyah National Research Center in Little Rock, Arkansas
- The Museum of Arts and Design
Awards and Recognition
Marcus Amerman has received several special honors for his art.
- In 2008, he was a Hauberg Fellow at the Pilchuck Glass School. He also worked as an artist-in-residence there that same year.
- In 2014, he received a USA Fellow award, which was supported by the Rasmuson Foundation.
- In 2006, he taught at the Pilchuck Glass School with Tlingit artist Preston Singletary as part of a program called Iconoglass.
Family Life
Marcus Amerman's brother, Roger Amerman, is also a talented beadworker. Roger's art is inspired by designs from the Southeastern Woodland Native American cultures.
Their first cousin, Linda Lomahaftewa, is well-known for her printmaking and painting. Her brother, Dan Lomahaftewa, who has passed away, was also a respected artist. Marcus Amerman lives on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Kooshia, Idaho, with his parents.
Artist's Thoughts
Marcus Amerman once said:
Traditionally, Indians embraced new materials with which to create and new ideas to express.
