Demian DinéYazhi’

B. 1984 Gallup, New Mexico

Lives and Works in Portland, Oregon

Demian DinéYazhi’ is a transdisciplinary artist born to the clans Naasht’ézhí Tábąąhá (Zuni Clan Water’s Edge) and Tódích’íí’nii (Bitter Water) of the Diné (Navajo) in Gallup, New Mexico. DinéYazhi is the founder of R.I.S.E (Radical Indigenous Survivance & Empowerment), an artist/activist collective dedicated to the education, perseverance, and evolution of Indigenous art and culture.

For Converge 45, R.I.S.E. joined with two indigenous artist collectives to initiate Nothing is Natural, a performative art exhibition at Reed College. The exhibition’s call-and-response nature underscores the significance of convergence, amplifying the artists’ responses to: social and environmental injustice; migration/movement/evolution; sanctuary; Indigenous Survivance; trust; and the resilience of culture despite forced relocation and resource extraction. The project unfolds throughout the restored Reed College Canyon and its natural water source Crystal Springs, and also included a one-day video installation in the historic Student Union on August 11, and an installation in Reed’s library vitrines through October 1, 2017.