A Life of Activism on the Navajo Nation
with Chip Thomas
Thursday, April 13 at 7:00pm Pacific
In this online artist talk, Chip Thomas, aka “jetsonorama” discusses his work as a photographer, public artist and activist who has been working between Monument Valley and The Grand Canyon on the Navajo nation since 1987. Thomas coordinates the Painted Desert Project – a community building project which manifests as a constellation of murals across the Navajo Nation painted by artists from all over the rez + the world.
Thomas was a 2018 recipient of a Kindle Project gift and in 2020 was one of a handful of artists chosen by the UN to recognize the 75th anniversary of the UN's founding. Artists were chosen to generate work that "contributes to the envisioning and shaping of a more resilient and sustainable future. It is hoped that this work will amplify and accelerate implementation of the UN Global Sustainability Goals with a focus on communities and climate action."
This is a FREE event. Registration is required to reserve your spot and receive event reminders.
About Chip Thomas
Chip Thomas is a photographer, public artist, activist and physician who has been working between Monument Valley and The Grand Canyon on the Navajo nation since 1987. Drawn to photography, Thomas built a darkroom shortly after his arrival on the Navajo Nation. Shooting black and white in a documentary style, he is inspired by people like Eugene Smith, Eugene Richards, Joseph Koudelka and others. His practice includes going out and spending time with people in their homes and family camps, which, interestingly, enhances his doctor/patient relationship by helping be a more empathetic health care practitioner.
Always been drawn to street art, graffiti and old school hip-hop, he was attracted to the energy of the culture in the 80s and though he was miles away from the epicenter, Thomas thought of himself as a charter member of the Zulu Nation. He traveled to New York City to see graffiti on trains, on buildings and in galleries, where he did some tagging in the 80s before coming to the Navajo Nation and participated with a major billboard “correction” on the reservation shortly after his arrival.
As a member of the Justseeds Artists Co-operative he appreciates the opportunity to be part of a community of like-minded, socially engaged artists. You can find his large scale photographs pasted on the roadside, on the sides of houses in the northern Arizona desert, on the graphics of the Peoples Climate March, Justseeds and 350.org carbon emissions campaign material. Thomas was a 2018 recipient of a Kindle Project gift and in 2020 was one of a handful of artists chosen by the UN to recognize the 75th anniversary of the UN's founding. Artists were chosen to generate work that "contributes to the envisioning and shaping of a more resilient and sustainable future. It is hoped that this work will amplify and accelerate implementation of the UN Global Sustainability Goals with a focus on communities and climate action."
Discover his work on Instagram @jetsonorama
Location and Event Info
This event takes place virtually on April 13 at 7:00pm.
Access is free using the Zoom registration provided.