“my hands remind me of yours/our hands,” an exhibition featuring the creative work of Rhiannon ‘Skye’ Tafoya, will be on display at the Linfield Art Gallery from Oct. 14-Nov. 18, 2022. An opening reception and artist talk, with light refreshments, is at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 in the gallery. Both the monthlong exhibition and the opening reception are free and open to the public.
Tafoya employs printmaking, digital design and basketry techniques to create two- and three-dimensional artworks that range in size from a few inches to a few feet. Her work blends her Eastern Band Cherokee and Santa Clara Pueblo heritage with contemporary sharp lines and bold colors.
“my hands remind me of yours/our hands” will feature a life-size version of her first artist book, “ul’nigid’,” which was published in the spring of 2020. “ul’nigid'” is a moveable book structure that is able to take on multiple renderings with each opening. When closed, the cover shows imagery of Tafoya’s grandmother along with the title illustrated in English and the Cherokee. The entire outside casing of the book is handmade paper created specifically for the book. When opened fully, “ul’nigid’” has walls that unfold to a standing position as four sides of a basket. The movable walls and base of the book were created using weaving processes similar to those of a traditional Cherokee river. Inside of the basket lies an accordion-fold pamphlet that includes five poems that share themes of home, language, healing, love and lineage.
Gallery hours are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12-5 p.m. Saturday. The Linfield Art Gallery is located in the James F. Miller Fine Arts Center on the Linfield University McMinnville Campus.
“‘my hands remind me of yours’ is an offering of my love and appreciation for specific individuals who have inspired or taught me a way or idea of creating. The work (of my hands remind me of yours) shows gratitude for their expertise and their willingness to share that gift with me,” Tafoya said. “Within each of those learning experiences, the hand was vital … The hands in each of these processes demonstrate tough and gentle nature simultaneously, qualities that carry over into my practice of weaving, printmaking and making.”
Tafoya has exhibited work around the world. Her art is housed is many special collections including the U.S. Library of Congress and the Bainbridge Museum of Art. She received her BFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe and her MFA from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland.
This exhibition is sponsored by the Lacroute Arts Series and the Department of Art. The Lacroute Arts Series at Linfield University is made possible by the generosity of arts benefactor Ronni Lacroute and is dedicated to helping the university present art events and activities for the campus and community. It provides programs featuring artists in the areas of music, art and theatre.
Learn more about the performing and fine arts at Linfield at linfield.edu/arts.
Directions to Linfield Art Gallery: The gallery is located in the James F. Miller Fine Arts Center on the Linfield University campus. To reach the gallery from 99W, turn east on Keck Drive at the McMinnville Market Center in south McMinnville. Turn right at the first street onto Library Court. The gallery is in the second building on the left, Building B. Parking is available on the street and in the lot west of Nicholson Library.
