Tribal Data Sharing & Genetics

POLICY DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

Aug. 31 - Sept. 1, 2017 | UNM Comprehensive Cancer Ctr

the Artwork & the Artist

Mallery Quetawki, Artist-in-Residence

DNA Damage, acrylic, 2017

artist's statement: "This piece depicts substances smashing into and damaging DNA. Radioactive materials, heavy metals and oxidative stress are just a few things represented in the yellow “wrecking balls.” The design used is a widely-known pattern across Native Country. It is the Pendleton design."

DNA Repair, acrylic, 2017

artist's statement: "Beading is almost universal across Native Country. Each tribe uses certain styles to stitch or string beads for ceremonial clothing and objects. Since most tribes are aware of the process of beading, comparing DNA repair with mending a loose strand or stitch brings a visual for the process of healing among the nucleic acids. The designs used are from Crow bead work."

Mallery Quetawki is a Zuni artist and the artist-in-residence for the UNM Center for Native Environmental Health Equity Research. The two pieces featured in this workshop were developed through consultation with our tribal partner leaders and community members, as well as UNM scientists.

Examples of Mallery Quetawki’s work can be found at: www.zuniartisan.webs.com and www.facebook.com/MQzuniartist

Mallery Quetawki

Born and raised in Zuni, New Mexico, Quetawki earned her bachelor of science degree in biology with a minor in art studio in 2009. She is the mother of two and currently resides in Albuquerque, NM. An artisan in many traditional and non-traditional Zuni art forms including pottery, sash belt weaving, drawing, painting, and other crafts, Quetawki pays homage to her culture by portraying ancient symbols and designs throughout her work. Melding traditional roots with modern influences, her recent work has leaned toward a contemporary edge, although she can still be found at the Zuni Visitor Center as a vendor of traditional art and craft.

Mallery has two self-published coloring books entitled, Zuni Pottery Designs and Sunfaces, with another currently in the works. Her large-scale mural depicting the history of the Zuni People from Creation to modern times is on permanent display at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

The traveling collaboration called the Zuni Map Art Project, hosted by A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center, includes one of Quetawki's oil paintings, symbolizing the ties between the Grand Canyon and Zuni culture. The collection was recently displayed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, NY and was also featured in a television episode of the National Geographic Channel's "Wild Chronicles". Map Art's exhibit is accompanied by the book entitled, A:shiwi A:wan Ulohnanne - The Zuni World by Jennifer McLerran & Jim Enote.

Other noted works include a 12-piece pastel and ink set entitled “What Makes a Zuni?” on permanent display at the Zuni IHS in Blackrock, NM.