The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State will present American Indian artist James Luna’s exhibition, “De 5th World,” from April 6 through 29 at the Graduate Art Studios Gallery (1419 M Street) in downtown Fresno. This is the first time Luna’s iconic work will be shown in Fresno.
“De 5th World” reflects Luna’s reference to a new era of consciousness when humanity relearns its responsibility to the land after witnessing the destruction created by humanity’s greed. According to a Hopi prophecy, in the Fifth World a choice must be made between destruction and reconnection.
Luna’s work is a continuation of the conversation renowned First Nations artist Wanda Nanibush began with her recent exhibition, “The Fifth World.” Nanibush granted Luna permission to reference her exhibition. “De 5th World” is Luna’s response to aspects of our world that cannot yet be seen. Luna’s views have been informed by his personal social, political and cultural struggles.
Luna is a Pooyukitchum (Luiseno) California Indian who resides on the La Jolla Indian Reservation in North County, California. Luna is internationally recognized as a performance and installation artist. His works utilize found objects, audio, video and photography.
Luna became known with his exhibition “The Artifact Piece,” in which he portrayed himself as a living human artifact who questioned the institutional practice of objectifying Indigenous people as extinct artifacts and compared Indian representation to the exhibition of dinosaurs’ bones. By addressing misrepresentation, Luna reminds the viewer that Native American communities are vibrant, living and evolving.
“In my work I am not just criticizing a condition, I am in the condition,” Luna said. With “De 5th World,” Luna poses a new set of questions and critiques regarding humanity’s disharmony and destruction.
Luna’s exhibitions have appeared throughout the continental United States, Canada, Brazil and Europe. He was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institution to represent the newly opened National Museum of the American Indian at the notable Venice Biennale in 2005.
Luna has received numerous awards, including the coveted Joan Mitchell Award for Sculpture in 2010. His works are often described as a whirling mass of pop culture icons and visions falling between Miles Davis, Abstract Impressionism, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams and D’Angelo.
Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.
For more information, contact gallery technician Chris Lopez at clopez.artfile@gmail.com.
Artist Gallery Talk “De 5th World”
3 p.m. Wednesday, April 20
M Street Gallery
Artist Reception Immediately Following
Artist Performative Lecture “James Luna: Visual Visions and Voices”
2 p.m. Thursday, April 21
Fresno State’s Conley Art Lecture Hall (Room 101)
Enter Parking Code 262630 at kiosks
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