Tanis S'eiltin facts for kids
Tanis Maria S'eiltin (born in 1951) is a talented Tlingit artist. She creates amazing art using different methods like painting, printmaking, and sculpting. She is especially known for her "installation art," which means she creates art pieces that fill a space, often using many different materials.
Early Life and Art Journey
Tanis S'eiltin grew up in a family of artists. Her mother was a skilled weaver of Chilkat robes, which are special ceremonial blankets. Her mother also sewed garments from animal skins. As a child, Tanis often visited her Tlingit relatives in Haines, Alaska. This helped her connect with her heritage.
She studied art at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, earning a special degree in 1986. Later, she continued her studies at the University of Arizona. There, she explored her unique artistic style, combining different materials and ideas.
Today, S'eiltin is a professor and researcher at Fairhaven College. She teaches about art and different cultures.
Exploring Her Art
S'eiltin uses traditional materials from Indigenous cultures in her art. These include things like animal furs and bones. Her artworks often explore important ideas. She looks at how Western cultures have impacted Indigenous people. She also shares messages of strength, hope, and standing up for what is right.
One of S'eiltin's powerful artworks is called Hit (House in Tlingit Language). This piece was created in 2007. It's a mixed-media installation, meaning it uses many different materials. It even includes video parts. A replica rifle is suspended in a large glass tank filled with oil and water.
This artwork helps people think about big topics. It shows connections between historical events, like the Angoon bombardment and the First Gulf War. It also challenges unfair ideas about Indigenous and Muslim women. S'eiltin wants her art to make people think and talk.
She explains her goal, saying, "I strive to create art that is aesthetically beautiful and informative. The goal is to encourage dialogue and raise awareness."
Awards and Recognition
Tanis S'eiltin has received special honors for her work. In 2005, she was given the Eiteljorg Fellowship. This award recognizes talented Native American and Western artists.
Where to See Her Art
You can find Tanis S'eiltin's artworks in several important collections:
- Anchorage Museum
- Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
- University of Alaska Museum of the North
- Washington State Arts Commission
Her art has also been shown in many group exhibitions:
- Territorial Trappings (M. Rosetta Hunter Art Gallery at Seattle Central College, 2012)
- Making Sense of Things (Gorman Museum at the University of California, Davis in collaboration with the McMaster Museum of Art, 2006)
- Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation (Museum of Arts and Design, 2005)
- Eewdoowata'w ag'e: Did They Rob You? (Institute of American Indian Arts Museum, 1999)
- Watchful Eyes, Native American Women Artists (Heard Museum, 1994)
