Masked Heroes: Plant World

The virtual exhibition, Masked Heroes: Facial Coverings by Native Artists, is organized by themes based on subject matter and materials. Masks in the Plant World theme either have plant imagery or showcase materials from plants, such as black ash or cedar basketry. Of course, the majority of masks in this show are made from cotton, a precontact crop from the American Southwest. Medicinal plants such as cedar/juniper and strawberries figure prominently in this category.

Brenda L. Mahan (Koyukon Athabascan), "Spring," moose hide, 11° seed beads, Ultrasuede, using two-needle bead embroidery. This spring everything is budding, everything is new and fresh just like my flower.
Shayai Lucero (Acoma/Laguna), "Breath of Life," Medical face mask covered with dried juniper leaves and accented with genuine turquoise stones, lily grass ties accented with abalone shells. In my Pueblos, juniper (Keres: k’aani), an important medicinal plant, is one of my favorites. I have studied medicinal plants since I was 13 years old. I wanted to create a piece that integrates my skills as a floral designer/artist and medicinal plant healer. Judge’s Choice: Samonia Byford
Nasuk Ahyakak (Native Village of Barrow, Iñupiaq), "Mask: Blueberries," 100% cotton and elastic.
Tranette Calladitto (Navajo), "Be the Hunter, Not the Hunted," 100% cotton cloth, 100% polyester cloth, cotton stabilizer, elastic.
Nan Blassingame (Southern Cheyenne), "Floral Hat with Matching Mask," Woodland floral cotton fabric and elastic.
Tranette Calladitto (Navajo), "Native Strong," 100% cotton cloth, 100% polyester cloth, cotton stabilizer, elastic.
Nicolette Corbett (Orutsararmiut Native Council, Yup’ik), "Yakutat Masks," 100% cotton material, elastic straps. Masks for healthcare providers in Yakutat, Alaska.
Cathy Cordry (Rosebud Sioux Tribe), "Banana Split," cotton sheeting, acrylic paint, and ponytail elastics.
Dawn Dark Mountain (Oneida Nation), "Lose Is a Rose," quilting fabric, flannel, pipe cleaner, ponytail holders. Using a form-fitting pattern that includes a pocket to put a filter in, a channel for a wire (pipe cleaner) and available elastic in the form of ponytail holders, I created this mask using a rosy quilting fabric.
Dolores Gull (Weenusk First Nation, Cree) and Faith Chookomolin (Weenusk First Nation, Cree), "I See You," floral beadwork mask on hide. Capturing a moment that you are important, too. Judge’s Choice: America Meredith
Catherine Esquivel (Diné), "New and Improved Design," 100% cotton fabric, thread, 20-gauge craft wire for nose area, mask made with sewing machine and pair of scissors.
Valarie Harris (Hopi/Tohono O’odham) "Buffalo Dress," cotton fabrics, filter pocket. My inspiration comes from the dress worn by young women during the Hopi Buffalo Dance. The dance is done at winter's end. The buffalo come to wake the earth for the new year ... new beginning. Much like the people will do as we emerge from this pandemic.
Carrie Hill (Akwesasne Mohawk), "#COVIDCreation," black ash splints, braided sweetgrass, love.... Judge’s Choice: Linda Lomahaftewa.
Leith Mahkewa (Oneida Nation of the Thames), "I Am Protecting You from Me," raised Iroquois beadwork and edging in various sizes seed beads on black cotton velvet lined with cotton calico material. Second Place. Judge’s Choice: Stephanie Pratt, Jackie Sevier.
Katrina Mitten (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma), "Thoughts of Summer," turquoise cotton fabric with beadwork embroidery of Czech seed beads and turquoise ribbon
Allyssa Nashookpuk (Huslia Tribe, Athabascan), "Athabascan Face Masks," cotton, rickrack
Jobena Petonoquot (Kitigan Zibi Algonquin), "The Healer," cotton, glass seed beads, cedar, deer hide. This medical mask is a metaphor for healing, prayer, and hope. The double bottom has room for our traditional medicines such as cedar.
Jennifer Pictou (Aroostook Band of Micmacs), "Mi’kmaq Basket Mask," black ash splints, leather. My mask is created from the same ash that has sustained my tribe for hundreds of years. When I see what is happening with the COVID-19 pandemic, I recall the history of my people. We have survived colonialism, smallpox, measles, typhoid, and tuberculosis epidemics.
Osceola Red Shirt (Oglala Lakota), "Floral Shield," vegetable-tanned tooling leather.
Stefanie Sikorowski (Oneida/Chickasaw), "Good Medicine," Iroquois raised beadwork, velvet, seed beads. Strawberries are considered good medicine and are an important part of the Oneida creation story.
Vicki Soboleff (Tlingit/Haida), "Just Ovoid It," red and yellow cedar bark, plaiting and twining technique. I designed this piece to show the times we are living in.
Stephanie Tenasco (Kitigan Zibi Anishinabe), "Mashkawizìwin (Strength)," cotton fabric, velvet, sweetgrass, smoke-tanned moose hide. Mi iyo ni mino-pimàdjiwowin: “This is my good path, this is my culture."
Marlana Thompson (Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne), "Ononkwashon:a / Medicinal Plants," black velveteen, red flannel. White pine, cedar and strawberries beaded in 11° Czechs. Model, hair and makeup: Teionrasharens Cook Thompson ( my daughter). "Ononhkwashon:a / Medicine Plants" is my way of giving thanks to the medicine plants that Creator has given us for healing. Judge’s Choice: Stacy Pratt
Carol Wren (Iñupiaq, Curyung Tribal Council), "Blueberries For Days," cotton with fleece earpieces.
Diane R. Walter (Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes), "My Love of Alaska" (series), three layers cotton fabric, cotton thread, elastic.
Dawn Dark Mountain (Oneida Nation), "Morris Mask," quilting fabric, flannel, pipe cleaner, ribbon. Using a form-fitting pattern that includes a pocket to put a filter in, and a channel for a wire (pipe cleaner), I created this mask using a fabric covered with William Morris designs.