Paint Up

2009

C-prints

Dimensions: 72 x 72 inches

“More recently, Claxton has been working on a portrait series entitled Paint Up (2009). Her subject, Joseph Paul, is a ceremonial Black Face dancer in the Salish tradition and awarded pow-wow dancer living on the Musqueam Indian Reserve in the greater Vancouver area. In the striking, large-scale colour images, Paul gazes out at the viewer, his face painted in ceremonial black, white, red and yellow designs, his hair braided. These imposing images, striking and cool, throw down a challenge to the sterile, nonspiritual, materialistic view of contemporary life.”

— From the 17th Biennale of Sydney