Choctaw Native Art

CHOCTAW NATIVE ART

In these Choctaw-inspired two-dimensional designs, traditional motifs and patterns such as diamonds and spirals are combined with abstract depictions of land, water and sky. At the center of each design is an animal with its Choctaw name: nita (bear), yvnvsh (bison), issuba (horse), luksi (turtle), nashoba (wolf) and ossi (eagle).

ABOUT THE ARTIST: RAYMOND JOHN

Choctaw Tribal Member Raymond John always knew he wanted to be an artist. After much exploration, he settled on a career in Graphic Design as a way to channel his creative energy. There, he found creative and professional satisfaction, blending his artistic vision with his design expertise to make significant contributions.

Raymond John’s work and philosophy embody the Chahta spirit of faith, family and culture. His path serves as a guide for those looking to merge passion with profession. His contributions to the arts and the Choctaw Nation stand as a testament to his commitment to both his craft and his heritage.

WORDS FROM THE ARTIST

Growing up, I noticed my mom – whether beading or weaving baskets – used mostly linear or geometric motifs but crafted in a way that satisfied her own personal style. When I asked what they meant, my father would say most of the designs derived from natural forms, such as the shell of a turtle or skin of the snake. But instead of trying to copy it perfectly, as only the Creator could do, the artist could express the essence of the natural form. Plus, my mother added her own aesthetic making her design personal to her as well.

With this in mind, I hoped to combine these traditional patterns that I remembered from my childhood with contemporary, abstract motifs that represent the Choctaw in this medium. I wanted to pay homage to southeastern woodland designs by using triangles, diamonds, circles and zigzags – which often represent natural elements such as sun, water, earth and sky – but in a way that expressed my own artistic freedom.

I also wanted to create a design that would be recognizable as Choctaw artwork. Taking the guesswork out, I decided to base each design around an animal character that young and old alike would recognize, with its corresponding Choctaw name. Around each animal are patterns and colors that range from realistic to extremely abstract and symbolic. These two-dimensional animals include nita (bear), yvnvsh (bison), issuba (horse), luksi (turtle), nashoba (wolf) and ossi (eagle) representing courage, prosperity, strength, wisdom and spirituality.

Placed throughout, I also included tiny details to embody our textile and agricultural history; from the patterns derived from woven baskets to the various emblems of corn. I chose to use basic earth colors (brown, blue, red, green) with splashes of brighter colors and tones (yellows, purples).

Finally, I wanted to honor our history with the inclusion of a stickball player. This image follows a similar pattern; a flat two-dimensional figure surrounded by abstract designs evoking ideas of protection, strength, success, friendship, wisdom, provision and speed.