Women Protectors - Photo series by Amy S. Martin and Venaya Yazzie 2018
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| Capture from Instagram account of Yazzgrl Art - Venaya Yazzie |
This year has been a blessing for me. My path has crossed with a high desert Colorado Plateau fine art Photographer, Amy S. Martin. We have collaborated via our imagery and design in this new project titled "Voices of the Colorado Plateau" which includes portraits of Indigenous women of the Navajo Nation and Eastern Dine' Nation in which I am a representative. I have included a capture of my Instagram art account Yazzgrl.Art to display one image done by Martin.
It was as such a blessing to work with Amy when she visited New Mexico last month. I was able to share my family's cultural history of our homelands and our unique cultural landscape. This image was taken at the family lands at Dzilthnaodithle (Huerfano, NM).
The image of of me dressed and adorned in my family-made Dine' cultural women's attire, a wool dress called a 'biil' was taken by Amy on her visit. The art image in the background is my artwork which consists of a New Mexico Bluebird, or in the Dine' language this being is referred to as "Dolii."
I include this artist description by Amy S. Martin from her website (http://www.amysmartinphotography.com/p159598639)
Diverging from traditional environmentalist thought, I believe landscape is a synthesis of elements inextricably linked to the physical land, encompassing ecology, history and culture. Through a collection of collaborative portraits, this series celebrates Indigenous women on the Colorado Plateau who are advocating for protection of their culture, communities, and endangered lands through their actions, words and art. These portraits honor kinship with the land, reveal what is at stake if these landscapes and cultures are lost, and celebrate the strength of the women who are on the frontlines of their protection.
My hope in sharing is that you will be blessed and inspired by the efforts of Amy and also myself as a contributor.
Blessings,
VJY
