Object/Ritual is the artist’s response to the representation of Native Americans in popular culture focusing her project on costumes and uniforms. She, as a member of the Chehalis Tribe, is responding to the shame she felt while wearing her traditional regalia gifted to her by her community when exposed to representations by mass culture surrounding her.
By purchasing and collecting pieces and then capturing them out of time and context, she allows the viewer to consider the craft and beauty and what their meaning is. By suspending these objects in darkness, they shine with loss and sadness as they speak about their sources, as well as what is lost for the sake of consumerism and amusement floating and hovering like disembodied ghosts.
Selena Kearney is a member of the Chehalis Tribe, daughter to Teresa Rosander and Janice Latch, and granddaughter to Ida Rosander. She is a graduate of The Photographic Center Northwest, The Evergreen State College, and is currently a graduate student at The School of Art Institute Chicago.