Artist's Statement

Woman and Myth - Spirit and Ghost

Many of these images are computer-rendered interpretations derived from my photography. I attempt to catch flying elements and capture impressions of "sacred rhythms." As with most American Indian Pow Wow dance styles, the focus is not so much on the dancer, but on the fringe, feathers, and other accouterments whose motion are evidence of how the dancer interprets the rhythm of the Drum. Action, shape, color, and Spirit. Intertribally, the Drum and dances each have a spiritual history. Each dancer and singer has a private way of "awakening"; preparing to enter the Circle (which has been blessed.)

I prefer spontaneity in photography, when the raw material cannot be manipulated. And the raw material is "the moment"... when subject, light, shadow, movement, color, camera, eye, and even sound come together at one crucial instant. I then eliminate the exposition, and reinterpret it with light and color. Even after all this, the works, having undergone hundreds of levels of applications, appear beautifully simplistic... Just as our dances, songs, and Drum might seem to the untrained, uninformed perception.

McLuen once wrote (of black and white photography,) "With contrast comes clarity." Sage words on many levels. In "Woman and Myth - Spirit and Ghost," I juxtapose the "sacred rhythm" images with my interpretations of stereotypical images currently used to market commercial products. These juxtapositions provide contrast to that which is, at once, elegantly mysterious, to that which is corrupt.

As a woman, artist, and Lakota/Cheyenne, through the art of my body, people, and heart, I have only glimpsed into the mystery of creating. The great Art is that of Grandmother and Earth. No human passion or desire to create can match Her. All I can do is endeavor to emulate, have courage to risk failure, and give proper respect and recognition to Her when, in some small way, I succeed. "Woman and Myth - Spirit and Ghost" attempts to transcend time; to show how our tribal Nations have long honored the sacredness of women, and to reclaim this spiritual fact which has been subject to systematic attempts of annihilation since first contact. Dull Knife, a Cheyenne leader, once said "A Nation is never conquered until the hearts of its women lay on the ground."

And we are still here.

-- Diane Way