In ‘Celebrating Indigeneity’ art exhibit, Masta’s artwork explores her educational journey

Purdue University’s “Celebrating Indigeneity” spring art exhibit featured works from indigenous scholar-artists from academic units across campus  – including the College of Education’s Stephanie Masta.

Masta, professor of curriculum studies in the College’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, created a mixed media collage piece called Feedback. In the piece, Masta juxtaposed feedback she received from educators with photos of herself at various stages from kindergarten through high school.

“Originally, I wanted to reflect my experiences mentoring graduate students, which is an important part of my professional life,” explained Masta. “But as I considered my mentoring relationship, I realized much of what drives my mentorship was rooted in the interactions I had with the K-12 school system. So, I decided to lean into those interactions and create the collage.”

The resulting artwork explores how schooling influences people even after they leave the classroom. “All of us start as awkward children trying to make our place in the world,” Masta said. “I wanted to highlight the messages we receive from schooling and how those messages might mean something different to Indigenous people.”

For Masta, the concept of Indigeneity is the myriad ways that Indigenous people embody and live their identity. “I wove this concept into Feedback by highlighting how I learned that success in school meant abiding by a set of rules that didn’t always include Indigenous expression,” she said.

While she does not consider herself highly creative, Masta decided to participate in “Celebrating Indigeneity” to demonstrate an appreciation for the vulnerability of the other artists in the show. She said, “If they were going to share large pieces of themselves, I wanted to do that, too!”

Masta says she is considering exploring additional collage forms in future artwork, and she encourages other Indigenous people to regard creating art as one way to honor their ancestors.

“Art is such an important medium and our ancestors have been artists since time immemorial. Don’t let your fear of not being an artist hold you back!” she said.  “While I do not think of myself as an artist, I had a lovely time making Feedback. It was a true expression of my love for myself and the community around me.”

Displayed in The ALab in Schleman Hall of Student Services, “Celebrating Indigeneity” spotlighted works of various mediums and expressions, including digital and physical materials, as well as recycled components, paint, faux glass, and beading. Sponsored by The ALab, The Native American Education and Cultural Center, and The Sloan Foundation Indigenous Graduate Partnership, the exhibit celebrated the artists and their individual and collective connections to places and people in their lives.

Source: Stephanie Masta

Writer: Jennifer Merzdorf