“Portrait of Eugene Landry—an Artist, a Time and a Tribe” brings together the artwork of Eugene Landry (1937-1988) with contemporary Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe artists and writers as they explore their cultural roots, tribal identity, and connection to ancestral land. Landry’s artwork offers a look at the political, economic, and cultural challenges the tribe faced during his lifetime—from near termination to federal recognition. Paralyzed by illness as a young man, Landry created his art from a wheelchair, using his non- dominant hand. Conversations with his former portrait models (now tribal elders), reveal his creative resilience and the positive impact he had in their young lives. Now, 35 years after Landry’s passing, a rediscovered collection of Landry’s art inspires a new generation of Shoalwater Bay artists. "Portrait of Eugene Landry—an Artist, a Time and a Tribe" will be on view at Astoria Visual Arts November 11 through December 2.

Nov 11, 5:00pm at AVA:
Artist talk/reading with curator Judith Altruda

Nov 17, 7:30pm at KALA:
Quinault Storyteller & Master Basket Weaver Harvest Moon

Dec 2, 1:00pm at AVA:
Contemporary Shoalwater Bay Artists’ Panel Discussion

In addition to Landry’s paintings, numerous Shoalwater Bay artists will display works in a range of mediums: woodwork, photography, painting, beadwork and film. Earl Davis, a carver, served as Shoalwater Bay Tribe’s Culture Director from 2006-2023; he considers Landry’s art“so much more than just one man’s view of the world. It is an important index that highlights a turning point in tribal history. Many of our elders, when viewing Eugene’s work, reflect upon those times and begin sharing those stories with us. I doubt that he ever intended his work to be such important cultural cues, but that’s exactly what they have become.”

Davis’ son Dakota, 21, will exhibit photography that “is inspired by the stories of my ancestors...I explore my cultural identity through photos of prayers...I try to tie in myself as an object to the natural world around us.” Sophia Anderson, 24, paints portraits of her ancestors on wood reclaimed from homes that washed into the sea at a nearby beach. Her mission is to “interpret the relationships between genealogical and geographical history and trauma.” Madison, 24, works with multiple mediums from makeup to ink on paper, digital art, beadwork and sewing. She is influenced by her grandmother, a master bead worker, whose works will also be displayed.

Erik Sanchez, 32, is pursuing his Masters in filmmaking at California Institute of the Arts. His 9 minute documentary about Eugene Landry features interviews with tribal elders and scenes from the Shoalwater Bay Reservation.

A chapbook featuring the works of 7 tribal writers—Keven Shipman, Jackson Wargo, Leatta Anderson, Mary Davis Downs, Deaja Rosander, J. Salakie, and Misty Shipman—produced by curator Judith Altruda and AVA, will be available during the exhibit.

This program was made possible in part by a grant from Oregon Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.