Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio acquires two large-format prints by photographer Eugene Tapahe from his series "Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project"

 

Santa Fe, NM - Monroe Gallery of Photography is pleased to announce that the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio has recently acquired two large-format prints by photographer Eugene Tapahe from his series "Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project." The prints are titled, “Solidarity, Sisterhood,” Monument Valley, Arizona, Diné, 2020, and “Four Worlds,” Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, Cayuse, Umatilla, Newe Sogobia, and Tséstho'e, 2020. 

"Solidarity, Sisterhood,” Monument Valley, Arizona, Diné, 2020

"Four Worlds,” Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, Cayuse, Umatilla, Newe Sogobia, and Tséstho'e, 2020

Eugene Tapahe is a Diné (Navajo) contemporary artist and fine art photographer from Window Rock, Arizona, currently living in Provo, Utah. From an early age, Tapahe learned the significance of respecting, preserving, and protecting what is sacred—the land, water, and nature. He combines his passion for nature and culture with his educational background in graphic design, journalism, fine arts, and landscape and portrait photography to create stunning imagery. Tapahe fell in love with photography the moment he picked up a camera and discovered his unique talent for storytelling through his art. He has a deep desire to continue photographing the lands his ancestors once walked.

“Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project” originated from Tapahe's dream during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspiring him to unite the land and people through the Ojibwe jingle dress dance in these uncertain times of sickness and social differences. Since then, Tapahe has traveled over 25,000 miles, documenting family members dancing the healing jingle dress dance in National Parks and Monuments, honoring the places where their ancestors once lived. This project has healed Tapahe’s family and ancestors and received national and international recognition for its unifying effect on other communities.

This month, “Kéyah: Our Home” by Eugene Tapahe will be exhibited at the BYU Museum of Art from January 24 to April 26, 2025. In the spring, selections from “Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project” will be displayed by Monroe Gallery during The Photography Show presented by AIPAD at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City from April 23 to 27, 2025.

The Toledo Museum of Art was established in 1901 to share the transformative power of art with the community. Its 37-acre campus houses more than 30,000 artworks in architecturally significant buildings. Over the past several years, the museum has been working to expand its collection of Native American works of art, both historical and contemporary.

Monroe Gallery of Photography specializes in photography at the singular intersectionality of art and journalism.

Eugene Tapahe's Jingle Dress Project Featured: Embracing Native American Traditions This Winter Solstice

Via Cowboys and Indians Magazine 

December 21, 2024

The Gift, Eugene Tapahe, 2022, Yellowstone National Park, WY, Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project

"Earlier this fall, I had the wonderful opportunity to connect with and learn from Umatilla/Cayuse/Nez Perce jingle dress dancer Acosia Red Elk. In addition to sharing her beautiful performances, she is also a yoga instructor and a wellness advocate who has gained her wisdom by overcoming countless obstacles throughout her life, including losing her father at a young age and being burned in a fire as a child. The minute I met Acosia, I could feel that deep wisdom radiating from within her." --click for full article

The Gift, Eugene Tapahe, 2022, Yellowstone National Park, WY, Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project

Eugene Tapahe is featured in the current Gallery exhibition Frozen In Time, on view through January 19, 2025.

Eugene Tapahe: Between the Worlds

Via Utah Policy

November 6, 2024 

Celebrated Native American art exhibit comes to UVU’s Museum of Art at Lakemount

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the Utah Valley University Museum of Art at Lakemount is pleased to present an art exhibition by Diné (Navajo) artist Eugene Tapahe. “Eugene Tapahe: Between the Worlds” opens with a reception on Tuesday, November 12, from 5-7:30 pm. The exhibition will remain on view through February 15, 2025.

“Eugene Tapahe: Between the Worlds” explores multiple meanings, connecting the contemporary world with tradition while highlighting the relationship between people and the land. Curated by Katherine Jackson, professor of art history at UVU, the exhibition includes a combination of Tapahe’s installations, photography, and performance, engaging people and places while mapping monuments as sacred sites throughout the modern world.

“I draw inspiration from my Diné (Navajo) traditions and modern experiences. My work reflects the fragility and resilience of Native American culture. I strive to unite these two worlds in my concepts while transcending worldly uncertainties. Through various visual mediums, I intend to celebrate and honor the identity and culture of Native Americans. Ultimately, the persona of my work offers unity, hope, and healing,” said Tapahe.

Tapahe is Diné (Navajo) and originally from Window Rock, Arizona. He received his MFA in studio art from Brigham Young University. Tapahe has exhibited his work in prestigious shows at the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Indian Fair & Market, the Cherokee Art Market, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. He has received awards for his photography from the Cherokee Art Market (2018) and the Museum of Northern Arizona (2019), and he was honored with two International Awards of Excellence from “Communication Arts” magazine.

Tapahe’s work is in the permanent collections of numerous museums, including the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Arizona State Museum, the Minnesota History Center, the College of Wooster Art Museum, the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art at Utah State University, and more.

His art is represented by the Modern West gallery in Salt Lake City, Utah; Monroe Gallery of Photography in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Rainmaker Gallery in Bristol, England; and Four Winds Gallery in Sydney, Australia. Tapahe resides in Provo, Utah, with his wife, Sharon, and their two daughters, Erin and Dion.

“Eugene Tapahe: Between the Worlds” is one of several concurrent exhibitions at the UVU Museum of Art at Lakemount. The annual Faculty Art Exhibition highlighting the work of 41 artists teaching at UVU is on view in the upstairs galleries through November 20, in addition to several exhibits of artwork from the museum’s permanent collection.

At Utah Valley University, we believe everyone deserves the transforming benefits of high-quality education — and it needs to be affordable, accessible, and flexible. With opportunities to earn everything from certificates to master’s degrees, our students succeed by gaining real-world experience and developing career-ready skills. We continue to invite people to come as they are — and leave ready and prepared to make a difference in the world.

For more information, visit UVU’s Newsroom website for fact sheets, maps, leadership bios, history, photos, b-roll, filming policies, and a list of interview-ready faculty experts at https://www.uvu.edu/newsroom/# or scan this QR code.

Special Event: Art Heals - The Jingle Dress Project

Monroe Gallery of Photography is honored to host a special fundraising event to support The Jungle Dress Project documentary. 

Photographer Eugene Tapahe's goal is to take the healing power of the Ojibwe jingle dress to the land, to travel, to dance and capture a series of images to document the spiritual places our ancestors once walked, and to unite and give hope to the world through art, dance and culture to help us heal. This special event will feature an exclusive preview of the Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project short documentary with an opportunity to contribute towards the continuation of the film.

Fine art prints will be available with proceeds from sales supporting the project.

Friday, August 16, starting promptly at 6:30

RSVP essential by Monday, July 12; please use this link.  Seating is limited.

"Now, the project is bigger than I imagined. The support, the love, and the encouragement from all over the world is inspirational. It motivates Dion, Erin, JoAnni, Sunni and I through our difficulties while we travel on our photo expeditions. It has been beautiful, emotional, empowering and most importantly, healing. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the beauty and unity of our spiritual journey through compelling visuals and storytelling behind this historic endeavor" --Eugene Tapahe