Artwork copyright John Feodorov. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2016.

Artwork copyright John Feodorov. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Skinwalker, 2000

John Feodorov
(American | Navajo, born 1960)

Location: University of Washington, Seattle

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

John Feodorov is one of the eight contemporary Native American artists featured in the Gallagher Law Library. Skinwalker is from a series of six mixed media artworks that explore issues of identity, sovereignty, and cultural heritage. Feodorov explains, "A skinwalker is a Navajo witch who has the ability to change into animal forms...My cousin swears that while following coyote tracks they became human footprints. Like a wild animal that appears around the perimeter of a new housing development, this skinwalker has adapted to the new encroaching urban landscape."

This artwork is part of the Contemporary Native American Artwork Collection, on view at the University of Washington Gallagher Law Library in Seattle. The collection was proposed by artist John Feodorov, who selected the eight represented artists (including himself) for their rich and forward-thinking cultural expression. Speaking to the contemporary nature of this collection, Feodorov notes “since art, like law, is an ever evolving process, it cannot rely on nostalgia if it is to remain relevant."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with University of Washington.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

John Feodorov is an artist and musician. He creates art that questions and challenges his own experiences, ideas, and assumptions. He is also interested in how identity may be influenced, shaped, and distorted by politics, capitalism, immigration, and alienation. Feodorov is of mixed Navajo (Diné) and Euro-American heritage and notes, "As an Indigenous person, I have seen sacred lands and traditions polluted and exploited. I have witnessed my relatives succumb to alcohol and diabetes and abandon traditions and embrace Christianity and capitalism. While I am careful not to romanticize my heritage, I recognize the effects of alienation and despair. And while I have never lived on the reservation, I have experienced the effects of this within my family as suburbanized Indians. These experiences are what inform my art."

Feodorov grew up in the suburbs of Southern California. His family made annual visits to his grandparent's homestead in New Mexico and this continues to influence his art. Feodorov was featured in the first season of the PBS series, "Art 21: Art for the 21st Century". He is a professor of art at Fairhaven College at Western Washington University in Bellingham.