Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID Number |
2016.008.002 |
Artist |
Goshorn, Shan |
Title |
Cleansed |
Date |
2015 |
Medium |
Arches watercolor paper splints printed with archival inks, acrylic paint |
Dimensions (H x W x D) |
11.75" x 6" x 6" |
Credit Line |
The George and Colleen Hoyt Weaving Arts Acquisition Fund |
Culture |
North American / United States / Oklahoma / Eastern Band Cherokee |
Collection |
Native American / Survey Collection |
Object Name |
Basketry |
Description |
Woven basket of yellow splints depict prayers of healing from three tribes while red splints hold the names and tribes of students who attended an abusive boarding school. In the middle, painted like a river, the healing power of water is present. The Cherokee basket pattern "water" is used. |
Exhibit Label Copy |
Eastern Band Cherokee artist Shan Goshorn uses traditional basket patterns and forms to address issues important to Indian people today. This basket, woven from paper splints, includes the names and tribes of children who were students at Carlisle Indian Boarding School. This basket combines prayers of well-being and healing from three different tribes (yellow splints) with the names/tribal affiliation of the 10-12,000 students who attended Carlisle (red splints). Because many restorative native ceremonies include the cleansing power of water, I chose to include an image of the Oconaluftee River which runs through Cherokee country in North Carolina. The use of the Cherokee basket pattern "Water" further illustrates this sacred connection, while the intermittent, random weave through the photograph is reminiscent of falling tears. May our continued prayers and deliberate actions to redirect behavior heal the wide-spread generational trauma experienced in Indian Country so our descents will experience the love that is the birthright of every child. -Shan Goshorn |