Art Bench Project (2022-23)
2022 Art Bench Collaboration with SDSU Arts Alive, the Native Resource Center, the American Indian Studies Department, and the Elymash Yuuchaap Indigenous Scholars and Leaders Program
Through a partnership with SDSU Arts Alive, the Native Resource Center facilitated the creation of accessible public art featuring Native & Indigenous issues. During the spring semester of 2022, the art bench project brought together students from two American Indian Studies classes, the Elymash Yuuchaap Indigenous Scholars and Leaders Program, as well as students from the Native Resource Center. There are now 15 Indigenous themed benches located in the SDSU’s Mediterranean Garden as well as in the North Library Quad, in front of the SDSU Administration building. The NRC Art Bench project highlights the relationship between a people-centric space and creative expression within a natural setting. It is public art that is relevant to community issues and creative expression that resonates with the environment.
“#NoMoreStolenSisters”
Red is for the resilience of Indigenous women, red signifies Indigenous women’s existence - their blood shed and anger. The color black is for the centuries of erasure of Indigenous cultures, traditions and identities.
Red is for the resilience of Indigenous women, red signifies Indigenous women’s existence - their blood shed and anger. The color black is for the centuries of erasure of Indigenous cultures, traditions and identities.
“Land Back”
We want our bench to represent the intricate connections that Indigenous people have fostered with the world around us. The Land Back movement calls attention to reinstating Native lands to their rightful caretakers, such as the Kumeyaay, and their rights to the San Diego region.
We want our bench to represent the intricate connections that Indigenous people have fostered with the world around us. The Land Back movement calls attention to reinstating Native lands to their rightful caretakers, such as the Kumeyaay, and their rights to the San Diego region.
"Earth"
Our bench is inspired by how Native women use natural resources provided by the Earth to create their art. We show how they honor the Earth by painting some designs we observed on the bench as well as Tule that is used to weave baskets.
Our bench is inspired by how Native women use natural resources provided by the Earth to create their art. We show how they honor the Earth by painting some designs we observed on the bench as well as Tule that is used to weave baskets.
"Hearts of Our People"
This art piece displayed on our bench derives inspiration from a mural made by Christi Belcourt. In our piece we hoped to encapsulate the relationship between Indigenous culture and nature; how the ever changing state of nature reflects the ongoing growth within Indigenous culture but both remain true to their roots.
This art piece displayed on our bench derives inspiration from a mural made by Christi Belcourt. In our piece we hoped to encapsulate the relationship between Indigenous culture and nature; how the ever changing state of nature reflects the ongoing growth within Indigenous culture but both remain true to their roots.
"Kumeyaay Land"
For our bench, we wanted to showcase and acknowledge the land of San Diego county. We illustrated how the land from the ocean to the desert belongs to the Kumeyaay and that we should respect the land that we are on.
For our bench, we wanted to showcase and acknowledge the land of San Diego county. We illustrated how the land from the ocean to the desert belongs to the Kumeyaay and that we should respect the land that we are on.
Contact Us
Contact us at [email protected] or 619-594-3188
Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Native Resource Center
Find us at Ellen Ochoa Pavilion 115 (map)
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
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