Bio: Eric-Paul Riege, 31, Na’nízhoozhí [Gallup, New Mexico]
Title of work: Hólǫ́ [+\/\/o]
Where to see it: “ojo|-|ólǫ́”, Bell Gallery, Brown University
Three words to describe this work: son…yaazh…mijo…
What was on your mind at the time: Hólǫ́ is a figure in my work who ages differently than us and in human years he’s 5 but I saw him as possibly some sort of teenager or young adult entering into his own and wanted to share with him some of my jewelry and regalia and markings and he liked them. He might become my ancestor at some point I think.
An interesting feature that’s not immediately noticeable: Hólǫ́’s growing up and he wanted to wear the mask I’ve been wearing in performances for the past decade so I passed it onto him and now he looks more like me.
How the work reflects your practice as a whole: I am able to pass down what has been passed onto me. My work in a lot of ways are these totems of memory holding onto not only my stories, but the stories of my family, friends, ancestors and Holy People, but also the stories of all the hands who touched the material before and after me. They exist in time as language holders. They can be danced and sung with and sometimes they sing new songs that I’ve yet to hear. I can’t wait to hear Hólǫ́ say your name.
One song that captures the work’s essence: “MSMSMSM,” by SOPHIE. I performed to this song in 2015 as a student. It’s also written on one of the works in the show.
