Teri Greeves, a Kiowa and beadwork artist, will exhibit a range of her work in a solo exhibition, "Storied Beads: The Art of Teri Greeves," from Thursday, Feb. 10, to Thursday, March 31, in the O’Kane Gallery at the University of Houston Downtown.
In her youth, Greeves watched the Indian Parade at the Crow Fair in Montana with her mother who always had an umbrella for shade from the sun. Greeves' memories of the parade inspired some of the works that will be on view at the O'Kane Gallery, which is located on the third floor of UHD’s One Main Building. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The works include Indian Parade Umbrella, an umbrella of beaded panels where each panel reflects a remembered character; Hoop Dance, a pair of size 17 beaded tennis shoes that depicts a dance of young Native people; and Slick and Jazz-beau, a wall mounted work that depicts the second husband of her grandmother and his brother. The exhibit also includes wearable items such as Concho Belt, Floral Cabochon Bracelet and Clutch Purse.
The artist's reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10. The PBS television series, Craft in America recently highlighted Greeves and her work. She won the Eric and Barbara Dobkin Fellowship from the School of American Research in 2003. Greeves' work has received numerous accolades including winning Best of Show at the 1999 Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Greeves combines knowledge of previous generations of Kiowa beadwork artists with contemporary forms and explores the past and present through narratives that are at times humorous, reverential, heartfelt, political and poignant. Rich design and color reflect an inheritance of technique and spirit as stories play out in beaded human figures, animals and modern day vehicles.
Monday, January 24, 2011 / UHD Public Affairs
