IACB Features Monica Raphael in Special Exhibition

MONICA RAPHAEL: WOODLAND QUILL & BEADWORK

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

ANADARKO, OKLAHOMA:  The Southern Plains Indian Museum, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, will feature an exhibit of traditional Woodland art by Monica Raphael.  The exhibition will run from January 31 to March 27, 2020.  On January 31, a reception and gallery talk will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.  The exhibition is free and open to the public. 

Ms. Raphael, an enrolled member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, is a skilled artist who specializes in quillwork and birch bark art.  Born to the Ginew (Golden Eagle) clan of the Anishinaabek, she grew up in the village of Peshawbestown, Michigan, on the Grand Traverse Band Reservation and currently resides in Apache, Oklahoma.  Spending most of her early years on the reservation, she learned the traditional Woodland art forms of quill and birch bark box making from her father, Joseph “Buddy” Raphael, and late aunt, master quill worker Catherine Baldwin.  Ms. Raphael comes from a long line of Woodland quill artists and is the great granddaughter of Rose Raphael.  The elder Raphael was a master quill worker who made quill boxes for the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression.  Many of these historic quill boxes are now housed in museum collections.

Her family is known for their mastery of Woodland flora and fauna motifs.  In keeping with family tradition and after dedicating years to her art, Ms. Raphael excels in creating complex designs while using traditional materials and techniques.  By combining these artistic elements with bright colors, her works offer a contemporary twist to a timeless art form. Her artistry is becoming renowned for exquisite craftsmanship of the highest quality.  Ms. Raphael is well-versed in the traditional teachings, stories, language and practices of the Anishinaabek and is committed to sharing her cultural knowledge with others so that it can be passed onto future generations. 

Ms. Raphael’s awards and honors include: Best of Show, First Place in Diversified Arts and First Place in Apparel and Textiles at Woodland Indian Art Market, Oneida, Wisconsin; The Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award and First Place in Jewelry at the Eiteljorg Indian Market and Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana; Second Place in Diverse Arts and Best in Division in Beadwork and Quillwork at the Santa Fe Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Judges Choice Award at the American Indian Arts Marketplace in Los Angeles, California.

The art work featured in the exhibition may be purchased by contacting Monica Raphael directly by email at monicajo.raphael@gmail.com.

* exhibition brochure

The Southern Plains Indian Museum is managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board. Regular viewing hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. All exhibits at the museum are free and open to the public.