Transgressors

Lyle Cairdeas

An exhibition presenting now and future Indigiqueer ancestors who move beyond boundaries in life and art.

Artists: a.c. ramírez de arellaño | Evan Benally Atwood | Geo Soctomah Neptune | Jeffrey Gibson | Lehuauakea | Qahir-beejee Peco | Roin Morigeau | Steph Littlebird | Walter Scott

Curated by Anthony Hudson and Felix Furby.

Sponsored by Chachalu Tribal Museum and Cultural Center, Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, and New Expressive Work.

Community Wall

We could all use a hug like this right now.

This is one of my many favorite drawings from the community art wall displayed along with the Transgressors exhibition, which highlighted stories and artworks of ancestors and contemporary Indigiqueer people. As Anthony Hudson, Felix Furby, and I were putting the exhibit together, it was important to have a space where people could sit, reflect, and express their thoughts. In the smaller exhibit space at Chachalu, we covered two walls and tables with paper. Felix created some prompts for people to respond to through words or drawings. There were also line drawings of Shimkhin and White Cindy that Steph Littlebird created, inviting visitors to color. We also had a Polaroid station available for visitors to print a photo from their phone and put it on the wall. The plain paper walls and tables were for people to use as they pleased. And sure enough, people took advantage of it all!

I have enjoyed working on exhibits with Anthony and Felix since 2022 contextualizing queer and trans identity historically and contemporarily in Grand Ronde and other Indigenous communities near and far. I am honored to be an ally in this work, to hold their trust, and to help not only them, but others as well, to share their sentiments, feelings, and hopes. Queer and trans individuals are being assailed and marganalized in a variety of ways, and to have exhibits in public places that elevate their voices is so important. Anthony and Felix weren’t sure how their hope for Indigiqueer cultural revitalization would be received, and this wall demonstrates how much love and support there is out there for this work of cultural revitalization, of healing, and of working towards a future where everyone can be celebrated for who they are.