Title: "Decolonize; save lives"

Artist: Dawn Clearwater

Tribal Affiliation: nahua/maya

Year Completed: 2022

Medium: Digital, Signed by Artist, Unframed

Dimensions (HxWxD): 8.5 x 14 Inches

Description/Inspiration:

In this picture reimagined a Monster High character " Venus Mcflytrap" as an indigenous land defender activist. Movie depictions like "little shop of horrors" that made their monster an alien based off of venus flytraps , did to the species what "jaws" did to sharks, cause public anxiety ,paranoia and ultimately demonized them., it had undertones of xenophobia because they made it seem like the plant came from an unknown exotic jungle, when in reality they are indigenous to North America, specifically the Carolinas' and because of these mindsets, and reckless land development, this unique species is now endangered. Here I depicted an adult version of Venus, maybe she's in monster University, or something, and she's a strong indigenous woman, decolonizing, and standing up for her people and the environment which she recognized in higher education are inherently connected.

Artist Bio/Statement:

Dawn Clearwater is an afro Mesoamerican , autistic, 2spirit multi-media digital artist. They have studied the arts and crafts their entire life , it has grounded them and helps connect deeper with their heritage. Art runs in their family, and they want to do their part to carry that torch, and the torch of land, language, and cultural preservation.

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