This is a female icon. Women, as the water element, relate to birth and regeneration (womb), which includes the watery realm of the turtle. The sea turtle represents our connection to the earth, and, as an amphibian, it also represents the bridge from water to land. In Iroquois creation stories, sky woman fell through a hole in the atmosphere and landed on turtle’s back, which, through human and animal cooperation, became the earthly land that supports (nurtures) all life. The turtle, as symbolic foundation in the Sky Woman creation story, is one of the oldest creatures from the earth’s remote past. Sky Woman is synonymous to the Mexican Corn Mother, known as Tonantzin, who later, through Spanish domination, transmuted into the present day Catholic influenced ‘Lady of Guadeloupe.’
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The “Turtle Power Dress” is part of the Indigenous Iconic Earth Altar (I.I.E.A.) and was inspired by Native American science and traditional hide garments. It is a five piece ‘walk-around’ fiber installation, an octagonal medicine wheel encircled by four free-hanging ‘Power Dresses.’ With it I am directly referring to metaphysical concepts, including those related to traditional Indian astronomy, cosmology (creation stories) and earth spirituality. Symbolizing the revival of Native culture, this circular piece contains overarching themes relating to the unity and interdependence between humans and the universe. The combination of this wheel and the corresponding Power Dresses creates an altar of connectivity, celebrating the pervading Indigenous ‘We Are All Related’ philosophy.
Exploring both old and new technologies, the project has also been an experiment in media integration through the recycling and ‘sampling’ of a wide range of materials and processes.
Original Medium: mixed media digitally printed appliquéd fiber composite. The individual components are made of hand and machine stitched painted, printed and pieced or layered cloth.