George Flett's Ledger Art: Tradition Meets the Narrative New

I did a project with my advanced art students recently called Altered Art. It was inspired by such things as the book, Altered Art (available from Amazon), which shows how artists often use printed objects--cards, maps, packaging, photographs--to convey something that either contrasts or complements the original object.

One of the artists whose work we lok at is George Flett (Spokane), who often works on ledger paper used to record transactions, including by the U.S. Government during the usurpation of American Indian homelands.

According to Wheaton College's website about George's art:

Ledger art is a traditional male American Indian art form, which began when Plains Indian warriors drew pictographic representations of heroic deeds and sacred visions on pages of ledger books, balance sheets, obtained through trade or capture.

That's the appeal of altered art...an ability to turn things upside down, see things in multiple ways, and give us a more complex and layered sense of something seemingly simple--such as a piece of paper, or a record of transactions.

Flett's works will be on display at Moscow's Third Street Gallery through March 5th. Opening reception in conjunction with The Chamber of Commerce After Hours on Thursday January 21, from 5 – 7 pm.  Music will be provided by the UI Native American Drum Group.  United Way will also be present with their annual meeting, introduction of officers, board members and agency representatives.

Third Street Gallery is located at 206 E. Third Street, Moscow ID hours are M-F 8-5 pm.

For more information, contact kbruns@ci.moscow.id.us or kgarrity@ci.moscow.id.us or call 208-883-7036 or visit http://www.ci.moscow.id.us/Art/index.asp