Painter Colleen Cutschall will lecture April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ at Boulder in Sibell Wolle Fine Arts Building room N141. The event is free and open to the public.
Cutschall is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe in Pine Ridge, S.D. Through her art she creates three-dimensional, powerful and spiritually inspired imagery, working with both natural and new materials.
Cutschall uses painting as a vehicle to express concerns about how our constantly changing and developing country affects the lives of American Indians. As a painter, she developed a technique that replicates elaborate beadwork. She often works with installations to create spiritual and ritual environments to further emphasize the importance of the Lakota's vanishing tradition.
In her artwork Cutschall also deals with political and territorial issues. By applying strong colors and bold imagery she makes powerful statements about her tribe and its decline, according to Karen Swyler, graduate assistant for the Visiting Artist Program.
Cutschall has been working as an artist since 1976. She is currently an assistant professor and coordinator of visual arts at Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada, and is an active member of the Native American Art Studies Association.
Her solo exhibitions include House Made of Stars at the Winnipeg Art Gallery in Manitoba in 1996 and Sister Wolf in Her Moon at Thunder Bay Art Gallery in Ontario in 1995.
The Visiting Artist Program is sponsored by the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder fine arts department. The Cutschall program was made possible, in part, with funding by the Roser Foundation, a creative subsidy grant and fine arts student fees.
For information call (303) 492-2539.