PRESS RELEASES

Pop culture imagery will be depicted in a new way at Exhibit C Native Gallery & Gifts in Oklahoma City this fall. “The Frybread Factory: NDN Pop Art” debuts at Oklahoma City's premier Native American art gallery November 1 and will feature the works of five Native American artists.

All artists are creating work influenced by pop culture specifically for the exhibit. “The exhibit name was inspired by a traditional Native American food and famed artist Andy Warhol,” said Tom Farris, Exhibit C manager. “Frybread is a popular food in many Native American cultures, while Warhol's New York studio was called The Factory. Warhol created some of his most popular pieces at The Factory, and this exhibit is our way of paying homage to a legendary Pop Art figure and saluting the innovative Native works featured in this exhibit.”

“The Frybread Factory: NDN Pop Art” begins Friday, November 1, 2019, and runs through Saturday, February 29, 2020.

“This exhibit offers visitors a different way of viewing pop-culture symbols through the lens of Native American influence,” said Paige Williams Shepherd, Chickasaw Nation director of corporate development and tourism. “With its vibrant colors and clear, defined graphic images, “The Frybread Factory: NDN Pop Art” will be a perfect complement for the bright and joyful fall and winter holidays.”

“The Frybread Factory: NDN Pop Art” will feature original paintings, drawings, clay tiles, jewelry, graphic tiles, multi-media works and more. The artists participating in the show are Marcus Amerman (Choctaw), Jason Garcia (Pueblo), Keli Gonzales (Cherokee), Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa-Choctaw) and Summer Zah (Jicarilla Apache). The exhibit features an impressive collection of award-winning artists that have exhibited their work across the country at several prominent museums, such as the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.

Amerman is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and resides in Kooskia, Idaho. He specializes in bead work, Native American-inspired fashions, painting and glass art. Amerman draws upon a range of influences to create original works that reflect his background and academic interest in pop art and social commentary.

Garcia is a Pueblo, Colorado, native and a citizen of the Pueblo tribe. He specializes in clay tiles, often using the medium to reflect the rich mix of Pueblo history and culture mixed with comic book super heroes, video game characters and more. In his piece, “Grand Theft Auto – Santa Clara Pueblo,” Garcia replaces illustrations from the cover of the popular video game with scenes from Pueblo life, joining worlds that may otherwise appear to be unrelated.

Gonzales is from Welling, Oklahoma, and a Cherokee citizen. Drawing on her experiences as a Cherokee woman, she creates paintings and drawings that portray the Cherokee people in a way that is true to life.

Judd is an Oklahoma City resident and a Kiowa/Choctaw citizen, specializing in graphic stickers, t-shirts, prints and more. Judd's work frequently adds Native American imagery to well-known products, like book covers and food and beverages. Judd is also a filmmaker, director and screenwriter. He served as a staff writer for the Disney XD series, “Zeke and Luther.” His mural, “War Paint” can be seen in Indian Alley, a popular landmark in Los Angeles.

Zah is an Ada, Oklahoma, resident and Jicarilla Apache citizen. She specializes in printmaking, painting, mixed media and collage art. Zah combines modern Bohemian trends with symbols associated with Native Americans, like dreamcatchers and arrows. Through her works, Zah strives to address cultural complexities to encourage conversations about Native Americans' larger role in American society.

“The Frybread Factory: NDN Pop Art” will be on display from November 1–February 29. The public is invited to an artist reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 3 at Exhibit C. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the artists to discuss their work and influences at the reception.

For more information about the artists, or other art at Exhibit C, visit www.exhibitcgallery.com.

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About Exhibit C Native Gallery & Gifts

Exhibit C Native Gallery & Gifts, Oklahoma City's premier Native American art gallery, is located in Bricktown. The gallery displays works of numerous artists from the Chickasaw and southeastern tribes, as well as artists from across Indian Country. Exhibit C continues the vision of raising awareness of the many cultural experiences in Oklahoma set forth by Chickasaw Nation Governor, Bill Anoatubby. Exhibit C is open daily from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. at 1 E. Sheridan, Bricktown. All items located in Exhibit C are for purchase.

About Chickasaw Country

Nestled in south-central Oklahoma, Chickasaw Country is a regional tourism organization representing 13 of Oklahoma's 77 counties. As the official destination tourism organization, Chickasaw Country includes 7,648 square miles, 11 percent of Oklahoma's total 68,597 square miles. Chickasaw Country, a division of the Chickasaw Nation, is a tourism source for visitors and communities within the region and promotes destinations, attractions and festivals. Chickasaw Country is a diverse and culturally-vested destination, with new adventures and experiences around every corner.