Two Indigenous artists, Thomas “Breeze” Miles and Douglas Marcus, have made the difficult decision to decline an invitation to display their work at a Mesa museum. This comes after the city's handling of a postponed exhibit left them feeling undervalued and disappointed. In this article, we explore their reasons for declining and the larger implications for Indigenous art.

Disappointment and Undervaluation

The artists' decision to decline the invitation

Thomas “Breeze” Miles and Douglas Marcus made the difficult decision to decline the invitation to showcase their work at a Mesa museum. They expressed their disappointment and feeling undervalued by the city's handling of the postponed exhibit. The artists felt that their art practice and work were devalued, leading them to withdraw from the exhibition.

Miles and Marcus were discouraged by the initial postponement of the exhibit and the subsequent rescheduling after public outcry. They believed that the way the situation was handled reflected a lack of consideration for their art and contributions to the community. This decision highlights the challenges faced by Indigenous artists in gaining recognition and respect in the art world.

Unseen Artwork and Lost Opportunities

The impact on the artists' creations

Marcus expressed his disappointment that the artwork he created for the exhibit will never be seen in its intended form. He had meticulously designed the pieces to fit the specific dimensions of the museum, but now they have been sent to various galleries separately. The original vision of displaying them together as a cohesive body of work has been lost.

Miles also shared his frustration as the extensive artwork he created for the exhibit is currently in storage, gathering dust. He hopes to find a new home for his pieces, whether through sale or display in another exhibit or gallery. The artists' decision to decline the invitation not only affects their exposure but also represents lost opportunities for their art to be appreciated and celebrated.

Controversy and Public Outcry

The reasons behind the exhibit's postponement

The exhibit at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum was originally postponed due to aspects of the exhibitions that still needed to be finalized. However, there were requests to remove a piece by Shepard Fairey, which depicted a skeletal police officer in riot gear holding a large flower. The decision to delay the exhibit drew backlash from the art world and raised concerns about censorship.

The Arizona chapter of the ACLU suggested that the exhibit's postponement was a result of the city's attempt to deny projects with messages they disliked while permitting those they supported. The controversy surrounding the exhibit generated significant attention and publicity, ultimately leading to its rescheduling. However, the Indigenous artists involved felt that their voices and contributions were overshadowed in the process.

Silence and Disappointment

The artists' disappointment with Shepard Fairey

Both Marcus and Miles expressed their disappointment with Shepard Fairey, a renowned artist known for his advocacy art. Despite Fairey's previous work featuring individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Indigenous people, he remained silent during the controversy surrounding the exhibit's postponement.

The artists expected Fairey, who has built his reputation as a rebel artist, to speak out about the negative effects on the artists involved. However, his silence further highlighted the minimal consideration given to Indigenous art and artists in the larger art community.

Implications for Indigenous Art

The larger implications of the artists' decision

The decision of Thomas “Breeze” Miles and Douglas Marcus to decline the invitation to exhibit their work at the Mesa museum raises important questions about the value and recognition given to Indigenous art. The incident highlights the challenges faced by Indigenous artists in gaining respect and equal treatment in the art world.

Miles and Marcus believe that the controversy surrounding the exhibit ultimately benefited the already globally recognized artists, Swoon and Shepard Fairey, while leaving the Indigenous artists feeling undervalued and overlooked. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for greater inclusivity and recognition of Indigenous art and artists in the larger art community.

Conclusion

The decision of Indigenous artists, Thomas “Breeze” Miles and Douglas Marcus, to decline the invitation to exhibit their work at the Mesa museum sheds light on the challenges faced by Indigenous artists in gaining recognition and respect in the art world. Their disappointment and feeling of undervaluation reflect a larger issue of inclusivity and representation in the art community. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for greater support and appreciation for Indigenous art and artists.

FQA :

Why did Thomas “Breeze” Miles and Douglas Marcus decline the invitation?

Thomas “Breeze” Miles and Douglas Marcus declined the invitation due to their disappointment with the handling of the postponed exhibit and feeling undervalued by the city. They believed that their art practice and work were devalued, leading them to withdraw from the exhibition.

What happened to the artwork they created for the exhibit?

The artwork created by Thomas “Breeze” Miles and Douglas Marcus for the exhibit will not be displayed in its intended form. Marcus sent his pieces to various galleries separately, while Miles' artwork is currently in storage. They both hope to find new opportunities for their art to be appreciated and celebrated.

Why was the exhibit initially postponed?

The exhibit at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum was postponed due to aspects of the exhibitions that still needed to be finalized. There were also requests to remove a piece by Shepard Fairey, which sparked controversy and raised concerns about censorship.

Why were the artists disappointed with Shepard Fairey?

Thomas “Breeze” Miles and Douglas Marcus expressed their disappointment with Shepard Fairey, a renowned artist known for his advocacy art. Despite Fairey's previous work featuring individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Indigenous people, he remained silent during the controversy surrounding the exhibit's postponement.

What are the larger implications of this incident?

The decision of Thomas “Breeze” Miles and Douglas Marcus to decline the invitation highlights the challenges faced by Indigenous artists in gaining recognition and equal treatment in the art world. It emphasizes the need for greater inclusivity and appreciation of Indigenous art and artists in the larger art community.