Artist Showcase James Temte

Res.ol.u.tion. —James Temte — Title: Res.ol.u.tion. Medium: Oil on Canvas. Size: 42” x 72”. Description: Res.ol.u.tion is my response to the treatment my relatives endured during the boarding school era. My grandfather was taken from his family and placed in a boarding school where he was not allowed to speak his language. As a result of his trauma he would not speak Northern Cheyenne to my mother. This piece was also created together with my mother Linda Temte. —James Temte

Cheyenne Water Protector. —James Temte — Title: Cheyenne Water Protector. Medium: Acrylic Paint on Metal. Size 24’ x 18’. Description: In celebration of Water Week on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation we (artist Bunky Echo-Hawk, myself and community volunteers) completed this mural. It is a modernized ledger style warrior woman, carrying an umbrella in one hand and a briefcase in the other, which illustrates the continuous legal battles the Tribe engaged in to protect their water and land. —James Temte

Sun Dance. —James Temte — Title: Sun Dance. Medium: Oil on Canvas. Size: 72” x 48”. Description: Sun Dance was inspired by a traditional ceremony of the Northern Cheyenne. The sun dance is a sacred ceremony that involves, fasting, drumming, praying, and dancing performed in the summer months. The color pallet of the painting was inspired by the summer sun, buffalo skin tepees, and the open sky of the high plains of Montana. —James Temte

Arrow Throw. —James Temte. Photo Credit: Michael Conti. — Title: Arrow Throw. Medium: Oil on Canvas. Size: 4” x 24” x 24”. Description: Arrow Throw was inspired by a historic photo [Arrow Throw, Richard Throssel Collection, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming] of Northern Cheyenne men playing a traditional game where they throw arrows at a target. This photo connected me to the competitive, fun and comradery of my Northern Cheyenne heritage. The color pallet of the painting was inspired by the winter elements in the photo. —James Temte. Photo Credit: Michael Conti.

Eyes of Spenard. —James Temte — Title: Eyes of Spenard. Artist Collaboration: James Temte & Michael Conti. Medium: Mixed media (wheat paste and printed paper). Size: 20’ x 50’. Description: “Eyes of Spenard” is a watchful response to one of Anchorage’s neighborhoods known for its colorful past. Although this neighborhood is often plagued with drug addiction, prostitution, human trafficking, they are not forgotten. The neighbors are watching, the city is watching, the world is watching. —James Temte

White Wash. —James Temte — Title: White Wash. Medium: Oil on Canvas. Size: 42” x 42”. Description: It is our innate desire to hide our flaws and imperfections in an attempt to curate our lives, histories and stories. However only by owning our imperfections do we become truly beautiful. The thunderbird symbol in the top right provides a watchful gaze over the “heart” depicted by the central turquoise square. —James Temte

Redo. —James Temte — Title: Redo. Medium: Oil on Canvas. Size: 42” x 42”. Description: Redo is a response to our actions taken to curb climate change. This summer in Alaska was the hottest on record. The colors in this piece symbolize our glaciers melting and our oceans rising. We need a Redo on our climate change response. The thunderbird symbol in the top right provides and watchful gaze over our changing world. —James Temte

Native Foreigner. —James Temte

Spirit Bird. —James Temte

Artwork provided by the artist unless otherwise noted.

NAME: James Temte
OCCUPATIONS: Graphic Designer, Muralist, Painter
LOCATION: Anchorage, Alaska, USA
ART: Instagram @jrtemte | Facebook facebook.com/james.temte.art | temteabstract.com