Gregg Deal is a man of many talents and interests. He is a contemporary artist whose work tackles charged subjects like identity, cultural appropriation, and stereotypes-- to name only a few. He does not limit himself to a particular medium, but instead chooses the medium which will best communicate his point.Â
These photos, for example, capture Deal during a performance art piece called âEthnographic Zooâ in which he dons a headdress and chestplate and sits outside the Denver Art Museum. These items along with others represent stereotypical views about contemporary, indigenous identity. The irony is that these pieces (and others) were all made in China. This all too prolific image is not real now, nor has it ever been. Itâs a social construct that Dealâs work strives to dismantle from the inside out.Â
Come meet Deal at the DAM today at 1pm to hear about his practice and work first hand at âInsider Moment.â  If you canât make it today, then come to our Untitled: Final Friday event on January 29th from 6-10pm to see his new performance piece âWhite Indian.âÂ
Check out his responses to our DAMCreative questions below to learn more about him and his residency at the DAM.
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What will you be doing at the Denver Art Museum?
I will be doing a three part performance piece called White Indian. Each segment will pertain to the way Western Culture interacts with Indigenous culture, as well as how we are perceived because of it, but also how we perceive ourselves. It will be mostly spoken word, meant to be funny, sad and serious all at once. The first segment will be about White Indians, because we all know white folks make the best Indians. Kevin Costner, Daniel Day Lewis and Johnny Depp to name a few. The second piece is about Indigenous people and pop-culture. The final piece is the most important that is about the way (as a result of the previous two), Indigenous people are essentially raised by western culture. In this final piece, I will be receiving a live tattoo in around a performance piece about blood quantum. The issue alone is a pretty incredible one as it is literally used to quantify Indigenous people both socially and federally, thus creating ramifications that have lasted for generations.Â
How would you describe your work?
Iâm a contemporary artist working in a variety of mediums. I am an Indigenous person, and many might label me as an Indian Artist. Being Indians isnât a niche, but simply what I am. My voice in my work is decidedly Indigenous, to be sure, but I am a contemporary artist that is Indigenous. Much of my work deals with identity, decolonization, appropriation, historical context and stereotype.Â
What inspires you?
Honestly, everything does. I spend a lot of time listening to music, watching movies, reading books. Me being a parent helps keep things interesting too. I am moved by critical thought and new ideas within old ones. That sounds way more boring that it is. Everything is moving, to be honest. Always thinking, always looking, always searching. I love old stuff, especially old Indian Americana, but I love new ways of looking at things too and reinventing concepts for today. As an artist that wields indigeneity, it all becomes pretty powerful.Â
What is your favorite spot in Denver?
You know, I just moved here, so my time in Denver proper has been somewhat limited. Iâve been hard at work at the DAM, so in many ways it has been my home away from home. I do love Denver University, but college campuses are always filled with such a great spirit among students. I do love the downtown area and the surrounding area of the DAM. Cities always inspire me.Â
What is your favorite artwork or collection in the Denver Art Museum?
The 4th floor in the Hamilton buildingâs recently acquired collection is amazing. The variety of work there, all of which is contemporary, challenges me and I love it. I visit that floor pretty regularly.Â















