Artist Essay
Dion Kaszas
Dion Kaszas is a Nlaka'pamux, Metis, and Hungarian professional tattoo artist from Nova Scotia, Canada. He began his tattoo apprenticeship at a small town shop in 2009, where he discovered his love for tattooing and his passion for indigenous arts. He received a Bachelor's degree in Indigenous studies from the University of British Columbia in the Okanagan. His research focused heavily on the revitalization of Indigenous tattoos. His passion for his work and his culture inspired him to help curate an exhibit titled "Body Language: Reawakening Cultural Tattooing of the Northwest." this exhibit focuses on the history and revival of Native tattoo culture; after looking through it, I knew Kaszas and his work had to be included in this exhibit. Dion's work is interesting because while he's only been tattooing for 15 years, his designs go back generations. The Nlaka'pamux tribe has many detailed and intricate designs that represent a verbal language; these designs are the ones Kaszas tattoos on his clients today. Kaszas's work is vital to the people of his tribe, who are reconnecting with their ancestors and finding their own identity; his dedication to his craft and his outspokenness about his culture have brought him into the spotlight of Native American tattooing culture today.
Nahaan
Nahaan is from the Tlingit Tribe and is based in Seattle. He began tattooing in 2009 and has only strictly done tribal tattooing. Nahaan practices many art forms besides tattooing, including poetry, wood carving, dancing, and singing. His leadership in his community and efforts to reclaim his Native identity and help others find theirs have made him a pillar in the Northwest Native Arts community. He has worked with many artists across the nation to promote Native pride, land liberation efforts, and sovereignty both in a political and social aspect through his various art forms. Nahaan's tattoo style is based on the traditional Pacific Northwest form line, and his designs, like Kaszas's, date back to the days of his ancestors, typically consisting of traditional Tlingit crests and other symbols. Nahaan thinks of his tattoos as permanent regalia; through this lens, his clients understand his art as healing and an act of activism. Nahaan's way of navigating being an activist, a teacher, an artist, and a performer has allowed him to open the door and be a mentor to many other up-and-coming Native artists. His traditional work and commitment to reviving people's pride in their Native identities is inspiring and more than deserving of a place in this exhibit.
Antonio Chee
Antonio "Tone" Chee is a Navajo tattoo artist based in Phoenix; he is a US Army veteran and has been tattooing since he left the military service (exact date is unknown) . Chee, like Kaszas, practices multiple different styles of tattoos. However, he tends to mix both tribal tattoos with newer styles. This combination of styles represents Chee's commitment to connecting the past with the present and bridging the gap, which colonizers forcefully imparted to Natives when they first arrived. Chee is active in the Native art community, collaborating with artists throughout the southwest to create artistic collaborations like the Indigenous Tattoo and Music Festival. Chee travels nationwide to participate in tattoo shows to showcase his art and bring awareness of the different styles of Native tattooing. While he isn't as outspoken about his work and its meaning in revitalizing tattooing culture, his art speaks loudly to his commitment to bringing traditions into a modern light.
Stephanie Big Eagle
Stephanie Big Eagle is an Indigenous tattoo artist from Sioux Nation; she was born in Hawaii and has familial affiliations with multiple tribes, including the Kul Wicasa Lakota and Isanti Dakota, as well as various other Indigenous ancestries. Even though she has a rich Indigenous heritage, she was raised outside of the culture because she was adopted. Big Eagle's work is rooted in her spirituality, as she began encountering the spirits in her early 20s, which led her to dive deeply into her biological family's history and reconnect with her ancestors. Big Eagle is a traditional tattoo practitioner and an environmental activist. Her story is interesting because she learned the ancient practice of hand poke tattoos while at a protest on the Standing Rock reservation. Her work in liberating Indigenous people from the chains placed on them by colonizers many years ago is brought to life through her art. Her dedication to empowering Native communities is seen not only through her traditional tattoo practices but also through her community outreach efforts, where she seeks to educate Native people across the world on breaking the chains of oppression placed on them by taking pride in their heritage. Big Eagle is currently based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Still, she is well known in the Native Tattoo community because she collaborates with others in the field. Big Eagle is a teacher, an artist, and a beacon of hope in her community and deserves a space to have her work celebrated by all.