Cold, dead, heartless eyes. Mona Cliff captures this and so much more with “UNTITLED”, 2019, Paper Collage, acrylic paint, matte medium on canvas, 60 x 24 x 1.5 inches in “Deadlocked and Loaded”. I knew this was a powerful painting from the first moment I saw it, but I had no idea the impact it would make. I am not a stranger to gun violence, however, I am not part of the generation of kids post Columbine that have had to face and deal with school shooting after school shooting and going through lockdown drills both real and preparatory. I work with “difficult” art on these themes but had no idea how “triggering” they could be. This work caused a PTSD traumatic event for a college student that was helping me hang the exhibition. It breaks my heart and gives me so much more to think about in presenting work like this to the public. It is so very important, but the visceral reaction I want to have happen is not from another young innocent but rather an adult that has the capability to effect positive change. No more “thoughts and prayers”, that’s meaningless tribble. Look into the eyes of those effected by gun violence and then give me an accolade.
Of this work, Cliff says, “UNTITLED is my reflection on gun violence as a infectious American condition. A reflection of helplessness and feeling of unease when I see the cold dead eyes of the shooters/mass murderers.”
Mona Cliff/Spottedcloud (Aniiih)(she/her) is a multidisciplinary Indigenous visual artist. Mona explores contemporary Native American identity and culture through Native American knowledge systems such as seed bead embroidery and fabric applique. Beadwork is the primary foundation of her artist practice. Mona pursues the concepts of generational knowledge while exploring other topics such as native futurism and identity.
Her beadwork is included in the traveling exhibit The World of Frida, exhibited in the U.S until 2022. Mona has recently concluded a public art grant through ArtPlace America and the Lawrence Arts Center in which she focused on community public art. Her project Natives NOW focused on bringing visibility to the local native community, using portraiture, projections and a mural.
Mona is married and has 3 children ages 10, 11 & 13 years old. She currently resides in Lawrence, Kansas. Mona Cliff is an enrolled member of the Gros Ventre tribe (A’aninin) she is Frozen Clan(Aniiih) and of the Medicine Bear Clan (Nakota) of Ft. Belknap, MT
Learn more at monacliff.com @spottedcloud
