So is the third time really the charm? No, every visit has been charming. Caroline and I find ourselves yet again at the Heard Museum for “Yua: Henri Matisse and the Inner Arctic Spirit” that is on exhibit through February 3rd. Today we are here to pick up the catalog from the show, have some lunch in the Courtyard Café, listen to a talk titled “Indigenous Artistic Interpretations of Henri Matisse” and visit with the masks of the Yup’ik one more time before they move on.

Just before the talk was to begin Sean Mooney, co-curator of this special exhibit and co-author of the catalog, walked into the auditorium and we asked him to sign our book. After Sean so graciously accommodated our request us it was Chuna McIntyre’s turn: he gifted Caroline and me with a greeting in Yup’ik and a small drawing of a mask. Chuna is the other co-curator of the exhibit and co-author of the catalog. Our book is now a treasure and part of the history of the Yup’ik; we are profoundly grateful. Click here to watch a video from 2015 of the two in discussion regarding Yup’ik mask culture.

The talk got underway with the first question going to Anna Tsouhlarakis who is part Navajo, Greek, and Creek. She discussed ideas of influence and appropriation while finding balance between cultural sensitivities when creating her own art. Chuna was next and he explained how, once the object of art has done its job and is released into a new life as inspiration to others, it is up to those who take temporary possession in their imaginations to do what they will. Next up was Jacob Meders who discussed how culture from the past and present combine with choices in materials that build bridges across time and culture to link peoples. Jacob is a resident of the Phoenix area teaching at ASU but is originally from California and the Mechoopda people of the Maidu tribe. The three panelists talked with us for an hour before taking our questions.

I have to thank everyone who participated in this great exhibit and special gratitude to David Roche, the Heard Museum CEO who hosted this right here in Phoenix, Arizona: the only place on earth to witness this historic collection of Yup’ik masks and the works of Henri Matisse who was deeply influenced by them. Click here to watch another video about the exhibit.