Keith BraveHeart is a Lakota artist whose work has been featured in numerous exhibitions across the United States. In this interview with ICIS, Keith talks about how his art speaks to cultures and its potential for bringing change to the world. See more of Keith’s art on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Braveheartwork. 

Tell us about your work.

My artwork is created to voice my perspective of the world I live in. I work to express my artistic voice as a Lakota (Sioux) person who lives in our contemporary shared world with an ancient spirit still connected to its traditional culture. My artwork speaks with encouragement for a cultural continuum and also presents realities of today's peoples (Lakota and non). I work primarily in Acrylic paint, but also utilize mixed mediums.

Braveheart, K. (2013). To Clean the Buffalo [Acrylic on Board].

What does it mean to you?

I acknowledge that I was given talent to make artwork with total enjoyment and commitment, by the creator(s) of my existence and culture. I believe my purpose for having these natural gifts is to share with all people and viewers of Art. I know I am a Lakota person, and I want my work to be a voice of the Lakota people. I believe in dedicating myself and my work efforts to motivate, inspire, or encourage my cultural relatives, but also all people on our planet. I believe art, and my art, has the power to create social change.

In our interest group, we look at how cultures merge and mesh and the impact this has on individuals. In what way does your art help people from various cultures understand each other?

I think most people, myself included, grew up learning the history of our race, cultures, and communities by what was instructed to us within school systems. I don't fully agree that what was provided to us is totally accurate. I believe for a person to truly appreciate and/or understand other cultures there has to be an attempt to view that other culture, and I think art plays a significant role in that attempt.

How does your work open people to a different reality?

I think the majority of viewers of my work that are non-Native have a perception of Native peoples that groups them all into a stereotype. I believe the stereotypes that represent Native peoples have not really been given the efforts to be appropriately understood. So when I make a work that presents a visual that contains an element of a stereotype, and place it into a dimension that exists along with what is familiar to viewers, they unknowingly make steps into overcoming the habits of believing in the stereotypes. In this, the viewers enter into the reality of my world and the way I see it.

Braveheart, K. (2011). She Cleans Taniga [Acrylic on Board].

In what ways have you seen individuals from other ethnic groups respond to your work?

I attempt to make work that will not insult any viewer. That is not my intention—to insult. I sometimes create something that will present the truth or reality of our world and histories, and sometimes it may be a little harsh to accept it, but, for the most part, pretty much all viewers I have had the chance to visit with or witness viewing my work have had emotional reactions. The emotions vary; I have had people cry, laugh, or just remain silent. It amazes me what art can do for complete different races and beliefs; it more than most of time connects them.

How does the difference that your work brings to U.S. society help others understand culture in new ways?

I think my work is strongly American, even though it is hard to be considered an American as a Native. I incorporate what is around us all (U.S. citizens), what we see daily, and I present it through a filter that is Lakota. Cultures are very different, but if you give time to look at details, people will be surprised by all the similarities that exist.

Have you had negative responses to the images depicted in your work? If so, which types of images bring about these responses? How did you handle it?

Not every person is going to enjoy an artwork; people do have their opinions and preferences. However, I have not ever been approached by anyone who had to share their dislike or hate over an artwork I had created. I am sure there may be some persons who have not liked my work, but I have never had an opportunity to discuss a negative review and I'm happy about that.

Braveheart, K. (2014). Winuhca Waits On Wicahca [Acrylic on Canvas].

I noticed you typically focus on Native Americans in your work, but in this particular image, you chose to depict a White woman. How do you see your work being one that brings about peace in understandings about difference?

I respect all people. I don't necessarily believe I should paint or make artwork that represents any other person [other] than who I am. If I choose to use a different race in my works, it is to relate the relations they have to me or my culture. In the painting you are talking about, the White woman represents America, and the action of forming our country at the cost of annihilating the Lakota existence by massacring the Buffalo. I chose to paint the woman’s figure in a way that would invite viewers into the painting, by finding a familiarity with their own history, and once they entered the composition they would gain some education on our historic truths.

How has being an artist transformed your views about other cultures?

I don't hold any grudges or animosity toward the people today who descend from any of the individuals that played a part in inducing the traumas that affect my culture and [the] Lakota nation. I recognize the reality of racism and live my life to avoid battling it with racism. I appreciate all lives and [the] artworks that reflect them. As a viewer of art, I have gained a great respect for the world and cultures, and I try to share the opportunity to experience that respect by making art.

What would you say to educators hoping to use art to help bring understanding among cultures?

Art is very unappreciated and unrecognized as a strong tool for education. It has [the] dynamic potential to broaden the reach of educators in a lot of fields. I believe it is slowly being accepted for its effects it has on mental health, and I have faith that it will be appreciated for its role in creating positive social change among the cultures of the world.

Natalia Balyasnikova is a doctoral student in language and literacy education at the University of British Columbia.

Patriann Smith serves as a faculty member in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.