INDIANA UNIVERSITY PURDUE UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING Administration Building, Suite 136 355 N. Lansing Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-2896 317-274-7711 Fax: 317-274-5457

CULTURAL ARTS EXHIBIT SHOWCASES CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN ARTISTS

INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI Cultural Arts Gallery's first-ever national exhibition of the work of current Native American artists challenges common misconceptions of Native American art.

"Reflections: Contemporary Native American Art" opens Monday, Jan. 29 and will run through March 1 at the gallery, located on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in Room 115 of University College, 815 West Michigan St.

Featured artists are Rick Gendron (Colville/Umatilla), Spokane, Wash.; Joe Geshick (Ojibway), St. Paul Minn.; Margarete Bagshaw Tindel (Santa Clara Pueblo), Taos, N.M.; Jonnie Diacon (Muskoke Creek); and Alex Jacobs (Akwesasne Mohawk), Rio Rancho, N.M.

"When most people think of Native American work, they think of craft work, like Kachina dolls," said Cultural Arts Gallery Director Wyona Lynch-McWhite. "Most people do not realize that many Native American artists are going to fine arts schools; and they are creating work that is very complex, both concepturally and technically. Their work is cutting edge."

In addition to being very contemporary, the exhibit of about 15 paintings and drawings is also quite diverse, the director said.

Exhibit pieces includes Joe Geschick's "The Healer" an oil serigraph that incorporates a Native American figure with the bold use of color and space, and Rick Gendron's acrylic "In My Life," a brilliantly-colored mural-like collage.

An opening reception for the public will be held from 3:30-5 p.m., Jan. 29. On Feb. 6, a noon brown-bag lecture will be held in the gallery. The lecture will explore the icons and symbols in Native American art.

For additional information about the gallery, visit the campus website at http://life.iupui.edu/campcomm/ or call (317) 278-2161.

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