Larry
PhotographerCraig Varjabedianis known for his stunning portrait series celebrating the lives and cultures of Native Americans.
Varjabedian works closely with each Native American who sits for a portrait.
Together, they find what works for tell the story of the individual’s cultural identity.
Larry
To help fund the project, he sells everything fromnotecardsto ahigh-quality printed portfoliovia his website.
Read on for My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.
Redhawk
I know you were inspired byEdward Curtis work.
Can you share a bit about how you first encountered his photos and what moved you about them?
Edward Curtis was an amazing photographer.
I first encountered his images while attending a photography history class at the University of Michigan years ago.
Rodrigo Bear
I remember being deeply moved by what I saw projected on the screen that day.
Rodrigo Bear
What’s been the biggest challenge and biggest success for the Native Light Photo Collaboration?
What may be an issue for one person might not be for another.
Diné
the list goes on and on.
My friend Marlene Bad Warrior who is Dine writes, We were never meant to be here.
In this now, there is a reclamation of soul, culture, medicine, and prayer.
Tanysha
Our resurgence is molded by our past and infused with the presence.
We are consistently evolving past our expected extinction, expanding our knowledge of our truth and telling our stories.
Tanysha
How do you go about finding the people who sit for your portraits?
Yanabah Moonsky
One person tells another about my work and so forth.
Trust must be established and this takes time.
I genuinely and deeply care about the people I photograph.
Marlene and Jayme
We talk and share stories and eventually find common ground.
Through getting to know that person, we connect and trust is hopefully established.
I endeavor to create a portrait that reveals something deeper and more personal about the person being photographed.
Deer Dancer
Its quite a wonderful thing.
The process of creating an authentic photograph is a collaborative one.
The process of collaborating makes possible a resulting image that is true to the person being photographed.
Kai
These often hand-made items are emblems of self-preservation, history, and tradition.
They are signifiers of tribal representation, ancestry, and spirit.
They are symbols of time, identity, and personal narrative.
Elk Deer
They are embodiments of individuality and self-presentation.
Kai
How do those who sit for you inspire you creatively?
This time the magic worked.
Yellow Flower
I have heard some Native Americans speak about something they call the Great Mystery.
Thus all things were kindred and brought together by the same Great Mystery.
I hope these pictures offer a gift from that Great Mystery that Standing Bear speaks about.
I believe the light that illuminates the people in front of my lens comes from that powerful place.
I photographed Thamu Tsan (Marquel) and her daughter Kai days after their pueblos corn dance.
One has to be open to the possibility.
One has to be open to the moment.
Elk Deer
How do you hope these images shape the way that people perceive Native American culture?
This visual document provides insight into the past, but also provides knowledge and education for the future.
The photographs are chronicles of tribal representation, tradition, and resilience.
They present valuable knowledge and awareness of Native American cultural identities for generations to come.
Upon the projects completion, a comprehensive book, as well as a traveling museum exhibition, is intended.
Yellow Flower
Any other thoughts?
Thamu Tsan told me that when Native people dance they walk in beautyeveryone works together to create that beauty.
The artist can only create the work and beat the drum to call the viewer to it.
The viewer has to attend for the beauty to be shared.
You are invited to attend.
