I dream of designing a collection of wearable art that explores traditional stories, feminine and masculine energies, and the impact of MMIW, and the stories my grandparents told me when I was a little girl. What we wear becomes part of our narrative, and the more people wear that narrative, the more visible our history becomes.
Maka Monture (Yakutat Tlingit Tribe), 29, was raised in the small village of Yakutat, AK where her family has lived for over 1,000 years. As a child she spent much of her time in museums and their archives as her mother and her grandparents worked to identify artifacts. She was first inspired by the craftsmanship of Northwest Coast Artifacts; the beadwork, weaving and the Formline style of art. Monture sees wearable art as a way to increase Native visibility, and visually show the history and traditions of her culture. Currently, she is working on developing her brand, Moonture, that seeks to create art in the intersection of cultural intention and coherent emotion.
Monture’s Dream is to promote Native visibility and propel visual Native history though wearable art (jewelry) inspired by Lingit and Māori heritage, that explores traditional and family stories, feminine and masculine energies, and pressing issues like MMIW. This project will explore a new way to merge traditional art practices like formline and silver carving, with contemporary fashion and design. She hopes to build an at-home studio where she can continue to create and explore new designs.
