Title: Nvfketv - nafkv (Drummer)

Artist: Johnnie Diacon

Tribal Affiliation: Mvskoke

Year Completed: 2022

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Dimensions (HxWxD): 24" x 20"

Description/Inspiration:

My 2022 painting, Nvfketv-nafkv (Drummer), is an acrylic piece done on a 24" x 20" stretched canvas. It depicts the drummers and singers during a nighttime ceremony. The drummers are lit by the glow of the ceremonial fire as they sing for the dancers. The drummers are positioned at the edge of the ceremonial square ground's dance area.

Artist Bio/Statement:

Johnnie Lee Diacon is an enrolled member of the Mvskoke (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, the Raprakko Etvlwa (Thlopthlocco Tribal Town), and he is Ecovlke (Deer Clan). Johnnie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma to Margaret Harjochee (Creek) and Cecil Iron on January 8, 1963, and he now resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is married to Nikki Stephens Diacon and is the father of five children; Mika, Chrissa (deceased), Melissa, Annabelle (deceased), and Emerson. He also has two grandchildren; Mai-Lin and Makoto.

Most of Johnnie's work is done on gessoed board or stretched canvas using either acrylics or oils. These works often depict some of the secular life ways of modern Native Americans and due to the artist's involvement with the American Indian Movement and recently with Idle No More and the No DAPL (Dakota Access Pipeline) movement, can often be political in nature. Both of his styles of painting often focus on his people the Mvskoke (Creek). In a quote from Patrick D. Lester's & The Biological Directory of Native American Painters & Johnnie is quoted as saying, & I feel comfortable with both flat and contemporary styles. In my contemporary works I usually have a traditional theme.& He has also been quoted as saying, & By the honest portrayal of my people, I hope to break some of the stereotypes that many people have when they think about Indians. In addition to painting and other two-dimensional forms, Johnnie has done beadwork and some three-dimensional assemblage works.

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