Valeria Tatera // beacon of hope

Through her minimalist approach to the genocide of the indigenous peoples in the US, Valeria Tatera shines a bright light at the underbelly of the beast who has tried to remain in its own shadow. She displays a blunt message, but it is that, which makes her a brave beacon of hope for the indigenous peoples of America. When McLuhan says “...minority groups can no longer be contained-- ignored,” this is what he means. As an indigenous woman, Tatera tackles major systems of governance and control, exposing and displaying their atrocities.

Some might say that her choice of medium is attached to minimalism, but I would actually pair it with something that is more complex. This piece is hidden in plain sight. Its message is coded with a language that not many might understand. Because of this, it becomes a link between several generations, not only in the past, since you’re linking to your history and culture by creating the art in the first place, but also in the future, leaving your art to be seen by the generations that outlive you. Tatera is a link between past, present, and future. She has written herself down in history, but she has also propelled her people forward towards liberation.

I think Tatera deserves all of the recognition possible. This is brave, kind, and just overall a beautiful display of modern art. The explosion certainly gave us an ability to perceive this kind of art, whether we can truly comprehend it is another question. However, that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. If we can’t fully comprehend it because we lack certain contexts, it should inspire you to learn, to sit through and embrace the discomfort.

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