Yellowstone Revealed 2023

Yellowstone Revealed 2023

Last year, Mountain Time Arts (MTA) in partnership with Yellowstone National Park initiated Yellowstone Revealed, an immersive cultural and art exhibition within Yellowstone National Park in celebration of regional tribal nations.

This year, Mountain Time Arts is pleased to present a multi-faceted evolution of the Teepee Village from artists Sean Chandler (Aaniiih) and Ben Pease (Apsáalooke/Tsétsêhéstâhes).

This interactive self-guided experience will combine art and storytelling, taking visitors on a thought-provoking narrative journey about our shared past, present and future of teepee lodges sited where the Gibbon River joins the Firehole River to form the Madison River. The two artists’ contemporary artworks are installed in relationship and visual proximity to the traditional teepees on view at Yellowstone’s Madison Junction. The contemporary art installations put forward Indigenous truths and perspectives.

The Artworks:

SEAN CHANDLER presents “WHEN WE USED TO BE.” Chandler’s project involves eleven contemporary teepees that feature teepee liners that have the artist’s original paintings. The teepee liners will portray historical Indigenous events and contemporary narratives. Chandler’s eleven teepees take the audience on a narrative journey.

BEN PEASE presents “AMMACHHÍIA: JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND CULTURE.” Pease’s project invites visitors to a sensory and immersive exploration of Indigenous narratives and experiences. The installation reimagines the landscape with distinct teepee lodges featuring use of mixed media, as well as portraits on canvas, and a uniquely transparent teepee utilizing screen mesh. “Ammachhíia'' emphasizes the enduring presence of tribal nations within the Yellowstone area.

The Artists:

Sean Chandler is an Indigenous artist of great importance from the Northern Plains. Chandler has recently received the prestigious national award, the Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship. Chandler’s solo exhibition entitled, “The One Defined by No One” is currently touring to five museums within the U.S. Chandler’s artworks overflow with ancient symbols, petroglyphs, bold patterns, imagined landscapes, humorous graffiti, and mysterious figures that combine historical events and contemporary narratives. He is an enrolled member of the Aaniinen (Gros Ventre Nation). He currently serves as President of Aaniiih Nakoda College on the Fort Belknap Agency in northern Montana.

Ben Pease is an artist hailing from Montana's Valley of the Chiefs district with roots in the Apsaalooke and Northern Cheyenne tribes, showcases a unique blend of historic photographic references and contemporary reflections in his art. Pease reaches a global audience through exhibitions in renowned cultural centers such as Chicago, Germany, Brazil, Italy, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. His work serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to preserving indigenous heritage and embracing cultural diversity. Notably, this year, Ben Pease's artistic prowess was highlighted in "Nature, Crisis, Consequence," a prestigious exhibition hosted at the New York Historical Society, garnering well-deserved attention and recognition. Through his art, Pease continues to elevate the voices and stories of marginalized communities, making an indelible mark on the contemporary art scene.

Event Organizers:

The Cultural Producer and Project Manager is Ren Freeman, PhD (Eastern Shoshone), Artistic Producer and Co-Founder of Mountain Time Arts is Mary Ellen Strom alongside MTA Executive Director Francesca Pine-Rodriguez, and MTA staff Victoria Cheyenne and Tia Doney. Partnering organizations include Mountain Time Arts and Yellowstone National Park.

Read the full Press Release here —>

MTA is grateful for the generous support from:

The Henry Luce Foundation

Special Thanks to our Partners and Collaborators:

Michael Spears, Marsha Small, Linda Pease, Jaimi Boyd

Want to support indigenous artworks in Yellowstone National Park? Consider funding this project today.