Artist Statement for Etuaptmumk

This piece is a tribute to our Great Nana, Eliza - a woman whose kindness, strength, love, and spirit has guided us throughout our lives. We chose to integrate both painting and beadwork to reflect the ways Indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary art practices can come together. The painting itself was inspired from an old photograph we had of her, and the beadwork features yellow roses and hummingbirds - two of her favourite things.

The yellow roses symbolize her warmth, joy, and resilience, while the hummingbirds represent vitality, beauty, and the powerful connections between the spirit world and our own. The beads carry stories, teachings, and memories we have from her. We wanted to create this piece for everyone else to see what an amazing woman she was and incorporate a piece of culture that she was proud of but was always taught to hide. We hope that we bring her warm and loving spirit alive, just as she has done so for us.

This work was created in the spirit of Two-Eyed Seeing, a principle that teaches us to embrace both Indigenous and Western ways of knowing so that we can be stronger together. Through the blending of artwork and different cultural worldviews, we invite viewers to recognize the innovation, artistry, and enduring spirit embedded within Indigenous ways of life, and celebrate the resilience and love that ancestors like our Nookomis continue to offer. 

(“Nookomis” is the word for Grandmother in Anishinaabemowin).

Kaylee is part of the King family

Kaylee: Instagram @kayleeshannon_