Jim Denomie, Ojibwe, Lac Courte Oreilles Band
Standing Rock, 2016
Vibrant colors and a surreal landscape mesmerize the viewer in this painting by Jim Denomie. It depicts the artist’s rendition of water protectors at Standing Rock, resisting the Dakota Access Pipeline. The artist draws inspiration from past historical events such as the Battle of Wounded Knee and references to iconic historic artwork such as Bruegel’s The Triumph of Death. While Denomie’s works look fantastical, they serve as a powerful lens through which to consider real world events. He asks the viewer to grapple with what is presented as absurd and horrific scenes being a reflection of our reality. Label by Annabelle Marcais