Native Works
The matriarchs in Allen's family have all been Húnkpapha Sioux and members of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Allen can trace her Native heritage back six generations to Wastewin (Good Women) in the early 1800’s. As a visual artist, she incorporates the passions that drive her personally into a bigger reality—the world is full of threats and rewritten histories. Allen questions history as it has been written by the victors and seeks the voices of those who were left out.
Wind Woman, digital print relief, woodcut, 17" x 17".
Itatawin, the artists great grandmother, full blooded Sioux (Hunkpapa).
They were as Numerous as Grass, Lithograph, woodcut. 22" x 22". (2002/2004)
Although the drawing alludes to the disappearance of the buffalo, the text reveals names of various Indian chiefs who died either through conflict, disease, or old age. Both reference the disappearance of a history.
Westward Bound, lithograph.
Prey, digital print from a stereoscope, silkscreen, and handwork 36" x 55"
One of these women is the artist’s, great great-great-grandmother. The writing is from the texts written by Josephine Waggoner, the artist’s great grandmother, replicated by the artist. Silkscreen native symbols and images.
My Grandmother was an Indian—Can you tell, lithograph, chine colle, 27" x 25"
The only way one would know that I had any native heritage is by the patterning on my high heel shoe.
History Lesson, Lithograph, relief, chine colle'. 16" x 20". 2002
Reminiscent of Indian ledger drawings, this print pictures the soldier on the left, with text from official statistics underneath. The right depicts the Indian, with writings taken from my great-grandmother’s journals written in Sioux. The red irregular shapes in the background represent smallpox under a microscope. The disease was another factor in the demise of the native way of life.
Wisdom, Etching. 3" x 3", 2000
Native Sioux lore says the weasel represents wisdom and the beaver's long life.
ABC's of Civilization, lithograph, goatskin vellum chine colle from 19th-century British land document.
Rising Above,
15" x 18", lithograph, chine colle', 2001
Feet rising, a metaphor for rising above conflict also symbolizes release.
Heart Line II (Unique Print), Etching, chine colle, 18" x 24"
In Lakota lore the buffalo carries in their heart the strength of their people. This is called a Heart Line. The writing connecting the mouth with the heart represents how humans should use their heart as the center of their strength.Heart Line represents the breath as the life force of an animal.This image represents the power of our being lies within our hearts.
2019
East to Ft. Marion
Battle Not Won Lithograph Battles Not Won represents the influx of colonists to a new land, passing over the customs and lifestyle of the indigenous peoples living on those lands. Although there is assimilation and progress, many battles were never won and still play out in today's culture over land and water rights.
Stencil, embroidery, beadwork on used packing blanket. Text by the artists great grandmother, Josephine Waggoner, speaking about the advancement of white settlements on Indian land.
Embroidery, airbrush, stencil with text by the artist's great grandmother, Josephine Waggoner. Encroachment of white settlers and soldiers on Indian land.
Fringed Bag, 12" x 22", etching on deer skin, beads, hand coloring, sewing, patina-ed Victorian purse clasp
Fancy Bag, approximate size 8" x 16" deerskin, etching
Victorian purse clasp, beads, rusted bottle caps, sewn with sinew.
Striped Moccasins, approximately 4" x 9" x 4", etching on paper, hand coloring, varnish, linen thread
Etching on 19th century British land document. The irony of incorporating the conquerer with the conquered.
Deerskin, 20th century victorian purse clasp, rusted bottle cap, porcupine quills.