Bently Spang
Bently Spang | |
---|---|
Born | 1960 (age 63–64) |
Occupation | Multidisciplinary artist |
Bently Spang (born 1960) is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, writer, curator and an enrolled member of the Tsitsistas/Suhtai Nation (a.k.a.
Biography
Spang is an enrolled member of the Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Northern Cheyenne) Nation in southeastern Montana and was born at the Crow-Northern Cheyenne Indian Hospital on the Crow Reservation located in Crow Agency, Montana in 1960.
Art works
Spang's early work included mixed media sculptures, often made out of metal, and installations. His later work focused on incorporating digital technologies such as film and photography.[11] Spang drew inspiration for his work in mixed media from how his Cheyenne ancestors incorporated European materials into their artwork; he has stated, "There was this fearlessness about mediums that we don't really have today."[7] Spang considers his art autobiographical, addressing his cultural identity as a Cheyenne living in a modern society and bridging the gap between these two worlds.[5]: 288โ289 Spang often adds humor to his works to help present these themes to his audience.[7]
For example, in his sculpture Pevah (meaning "good" in Cheyenne), Spang used stone and wood to signify the Cheyenne part of him, and he used aluminum to signify the contemporary world. In constructing the project, he explained, "The metal binds the stone, the wood binds them both. I am bound by my culture; we are still here after all."[5]: 295 Another one of Spang's sculptures is inspired by the Cheyenne tradition of adorning the fringe of war shirts with the hairs from the warrior's community. The fringe on Spang's War Shirt #1 is likewise composed of the photographic negatives of people he knows to show that he draws his strength from the community.[12]
Spang collaborated with techno DJ
From February to March 2014, Spang presented his "Bently Spang: On Fire" exhibition at the
Awards and recognition
In 2003, Spang won an Outstanding Alumni Award from MSU Billings for "Exceptional Contribution"
References
- ^ a b "Bently Spang: Techno Powwow". Creative Capital. New York, NY. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
- ^ Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. Institute of American Indian Arts. Archived from the originalon January 14, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
- ^ Bently Spang
- ^ The artist
- ^ ISBN 978-0-295-98580-0.
- ^ "American Indian Housing Initiative Will Link Tribal and Academic Communities". College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. University of Wisconsin-Madison. May 18, 2005. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Rod, Luann (August 13, 2018). "Bently Spang examines culture with humor in Emerson installation". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Bozeman, Montana. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
- ^ "Bently Spang". SMFA Boston. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
- ^ "Spang is UW American Indian Studies Program Eminent Artist in Residence". University of Wyoming. January 7, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
- ^ "bently spang". ArtMuseum.org. Yellowstone Art Museum. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 978-0313379901.
- ISBN 9780520241886.
- ^ "Bently Spang: Techno Powwow: Overview". Creative Capital. New York, NY. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ Larsen, Jessica Hunter (Fall 2007). "Tekcno Powwow: Ancient Rhythms for the I-Pod Generation" (PDF). La Tertulia. 23 (3). Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ "Eminent Artist in Residence Bently Spang Public Programs Scheduled at UW". University of Wyoming. January 31, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ Webb, Jaci (July 20, 2017). "WaterWorks series features celebrated Northern Cheyenne artist Bently Spang". Billings Gazette. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ Ragain, Melissa (August 17, 2018). "Artists Reflect on Water Scarcity in a Gentrifying Montana Town". Hyperallergic. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ Gianelli, Sarah (July 19, 2017). "'WaterWorks' flows to the wetlands". Explore Big Sky. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- ^ "Outstanding Alumni of the 2nd Millennium". Montana State University Billings. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
- ^ Webb, Jaci (January 2, 2018). "Northern Cheyenne artist Bently Spang wins MAC award". Billings Gazette. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
External links
- Bently Spang interview by Larry Abbott on Britesites