Drawing inspiration from generations of artisans who came before her, Sac & Fox Nation artist Janae Grass honours this rich history of beadwork, ribbonwork and traditional design motifs in her namesake collection. By collaborating with Manitobah, she aims to share the Sac & Fox story through their language, design heritage, and deep relationship with the stars and the Earth.
Directed and produced by Loren Waters
Janae Grass
Sac & Fox / Mvskoke
Meet the Featured Artist
Janae Grass
Janae Grass is a multidisciplinary artist from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is a member of the Sac & Fox Nation and descends from the Mvskoke and Absentee Shawnee Nations. Her work mainly focuses on traditional designs and art forms coming from the Great Lakes and Woodland regions to which she applies in her paintings, beadwork and silversmithing. With her jewelry, she aims to bring traditional aesthetics into a contemporary lifestyle in hopes of representing this intersection in which Native people find themselves in.
"To me, the designs in this collection are a testament to the story of the Sac & Fox people. The style of these designs have withstood the removal from the Great Lakes area to Oklahoma, assimilation, and hardships we face today. Being one of a few Woodland tribes in Oklahoma, our connection to our original homelands is reflected in our beadwork, ribbonwork, and ways of life. My goal as a visual artist is to create works that contribute to our material culture and embody our stories. The designs in this collection are mainly loom beadwork designs implemented in a new, contemporary way that honors the design heritage of the Woodland aesthetic."
