David Bernie
Publication: Sixty Inches from Center – https://sixtyinchesfromcenter.org/
Article: Interview with Chicago Ihanktonwan Dakota artist, David Bernie
Author: Analú López
Project: Interview
Location: Chicago, IL
Published: November 23, 2022
Intro
“David Bernie talks about the role of art and love, making during the pandemic and the 2020 uprisings, the colonizer mentality in non-profits, and why the garden is his creative space right now.
David Bernie (Ihanktonwan Dakota – Yankton Sioux) utilizes historical and current events within his artwork to create dialogue across communities. The subject of Bernie’s work is predominantly social and economic inequality, both within Indian Country and worldwide. He is driven to comprehend the roots of inequality while inspiring discussion and action.
In much of his work, Bernie layers together graphics representing historical moments and current events. Through a powerful dialogue between image and text, he reinterprets the relationship between the past and the present. His collages address a range of pressing issues, including Native American and Indigenous Rights, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, historical silences, Native mascots, Native stereotypes, and inequalities affecting Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and queer communities.
In Bernie’s words: “I aspire to create through the inspirations that surround me — from thoughts to visuals. I capture images with cameras, document thoughts with a pen & paper, create visuals with colors and textures, and illustrate my life through the medium of art. I do not live in a tipi nor was my great-great-grandmother an Indian princess. I do live and breathe native identity, the inherent desire to combat ignorance and misconceptions, and the preservation of culture.”
Analú María López (Guachichil/Xi’úi), a Sixty contributor and the Ayer Librarian and Assistant Curator of American Indian and Indigenous Studies at the Newberry Library, an independent research library with a focus on rare books, manuscripts, and other archival materials. She recently sat down with David Bernie to discuss his artwork, inspirations, and future projects.”
Artwork
Artwork referenced in the Interview with Chicago Ihanktonwan Dakota artist, David Bernie article.
Indian Country 52 #44 – Abolish Columbus
Indian Country 52 #46 – Equality
Indian Country 52 #33 – Reclaiming the Truth
World News #33 – Double Incarceration (Cook County Jail)
World News #36 – The System Is Killing Us
World News #44 – I Can’t Breathe (George Floyd)
Screenshot
