Siyo from the Rez
Siyo from the Rez! This is the official podcast from the Cherokee Nation, and we're broadcasting from our tribal headquarters in Tahlequah. Each episode, we’ll be talking with Cherokee citizens who are working hard to preserve and revitalize our culture and who are making a difference in our communities.
Siyo from the Rez
14: Keli Gonzales | Redefining Cherokee Art with Modern Culture, Color, Creativity
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Keli Gonzales makes audacious art. It's bold. It's modern. It's rooted in Cherokee culture, but it doesn't shy away from her pop culture influences like The Simpsons. Keli wants her art to pop, using Cherokee syllabary and design motifs in unique ways and swapping the earth tones that people expect in Native art for daring colors like bright pink.
Beyond the bright colors, Keli reveals the deeper purpose behind her art, from the importance of depicting strong Cherokee women to showing the humor in our culture that's been underrepresented in media.
In this episode, Keli also discusses her day job at our Cherokee Immersion School, her passion for inspiring little Cherokees to be excited about showing their creativity, and her art that’s currently on display at the Cherokee Cultural Pathway in downtown Tahlequah.
💌 Email us at podcast@cherokee.org!