Nicholas Galanin is a 'traditional' as well as 'contemporary' artist. His stunning bodies of work simultaneously preserve his culture and explore new perceptual territory. A Master in Visual Arts with honors in Jewelry Design and Silversmithing, he has studied at Massey University in New Zealand. He is based in Sitka, Alaska, a place he finds very interesting to live in.

"It is a very interesting place to be – particularly in terms of what is happening with Native culture. That atmosphere helps me maintain a dual focus, continuing to create objects that are ‘traditional’ (or ‘customary,’ as he tags them), while also making a separate body of work that is contemporary", says Nicholas.

Some of Galanin’s most striking works were exhibited in a show at the Aldrich Museum (Ridgefield, CT) called “No Reservations.” Among them were his contemporary ‘Northwest Coast masks,’ adapted to confront cultural issues. One of them suggested a Tlingit mask, but it was cut from a stack of 700 sheets of paper – bound in back like a book and containing the words, “Made in Indonesia.” To know more about him and his projects, catch the interview below:

My name is Nicholas Galanin, I am a Tlingit/Aleut Artist working from Alaska. I make music & art!

I don't follow disciplines, they follow me ;). I work with concepts, the medium really does follow.

My first creation? I think I created many things as a child. In 2nd grade, I won an art competition.

Inspiration motivates me, I look up to all creative souls that continue to push boundaries, people that take creative risks.

Life, social and political perspectives, history and the future.

This work was created for Danish book week, they commissioned me to create this, though the original "What Have We become?" series was created for a different reason, the concept of the original series addressed my cultures representation through modern anthropological perspective. A perspective that is often written from a foreign perspective, we digest this and it becomes us.

Inert: adj : unable to move or resist motion.

This work was created for an exhibition about humanities impact on the environment, though the work may also represent a culture, stuck in the past.

This is a series I am slowly working on, working with the land here in Alaska, I set out to carve Petroglyphs, though these aren't like ones you'd expect to discover. Some of these contain corporate logos, graphiti etc... its a fun time traveling piece that will confuse its audience 2000 years from now.

My children!

Music, I love music, make music and host a music festival in Sitka, Alaska every summer... we bring artists from all over up to perform. Its a riot. (http://www.homeskilletfest.com)

I am intrigued, inspired, confused, ecstatic, annoyed etc... by the contemporary art world. Mainly inspired. Art is necessary, without it we would not sing, dance, etc.

Take risks, create prolifically and fuck the police.

Visit Nicholas website at Galan.in.

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