Sonya Kelliher-Combs, an artist hailing from Nome, Alaska, has deep roots in the northernmost regions of Utqiaġvik and Nulato. Her artistic practice is deeply intertwined with her Iñupiaq and Athabascan heritage, as well as her connection to the land. Raised in a rural community, Kelliher-Combs learned traditional women’s skills like skin sewing and beading, which instilled in her a profound appreciation for intergenerational knowledge and material histories.
Her work, as explored in her new monograph “Mark,” published by Hirmer Verlag, encompasses a wide range of mediums, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and community advocacy. Drawing on the materials and symbolism of her Indigenous heritage, Kelliher-Combs delves into the complexities of self-definition and identity in the Alaskan context. Her pieces often address themes of abuse, marginalization, and the struggles faced by Indigenous peoples, both historically and in contemporary times.
One striking installation, titled “Goodbye,” features 52 gloves and mittens gathered together in a poignant farewell gesture. Each mitten represents a Native Alaskan lost to suicide, shedding light on the high rates of suicide in Indigenous communities. The gloves were handmade and donated by local community members, adding a layer of collective mourning and remembrance to the piece.
Through her delicate sculptures and atmospheric paintings, Kelliher-Combs pays homage to ancient ancestral practices while grappling with the impact of modern materials like plastic and fossil fuels on the landscape. She often combines organic and synthetic materials, bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary, local and imported. Her work transcends binary divisions, exploring the interconnectedness of Western and Indigenous cultures, self and other, and man and nature.
To discover more of Sonya Kelliher-Combs’s evocative artwork, visit her website. And for a deeper dive into her practice, consider picking up a copy of “Mark” on Bookshop. Kelliher-Combs’s work is a powerful testament to the resilience and creativity of Indigenous artists, offering a unique perspective on history, culture, and the ongoing struggles of Indigenous communities worldwide.
