About the Artist
Nakoda- Dakota / Kiowa, Mvskoke
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My name is Gracelynn Growingthunder, my friends and relatives know me as Monks, a name I picked up as a baby. As a youth artist I take photographs because I think it is an awesome way of showing people youth interaction. I started taking pictures of my toys and displays to make videos with a stop play animation on Google Chromebook's at school. I take computer design classes at school that gives us time to spend in school so we can do better throughout our education when we get older.
I photograph all the time when I go with my mom on her work travels. I like to take photos of signs and graffiti where we live. One of my first awards was at school. I took a picture of a social justice sign that was on the corner of Classen Blvd. in the International District of Oklahoma City. There are homeless people who stand by the signs. When I transferred the picture at school I turned the picture to black and white in Adobe Lightroom application my teacher showed me how to do. I watched a youtube video on how to use Adobe-Photoshop and have been adjusting my photos since. I entered that piece in the Santa Fe Indian Market last year receiving awards for the piece where the picture was purchased by the Montclair Art Museum. I hope my pictures help my family and our Indigenous people. I like to take pictures to help others see what I see with my camera as a Native American youth. I want to be an art teacher one day to help kids like me see art like I have seen. I want to help as an artist because I get a lot of help as a student from the inner city. Thanks for all of your support- Monks GT |
This exhibition explores the possibilities of children when they are given a chance to be considered artists.” -Monks GT |
Awards
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SWAIA/ 2019, 2018
Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, Youth Fellow Photography, Mixed Media 1st Place "Nookimos" Eastern Coastal Healing Canoe Paddle, Photography 1st Place "Women's Day March 2019, All Races Matter" Mixed Media 2nd Place "Girl Who Drank the Moon", Drawing Public School Native American Student Services/ 2019, 2018
Public School District Art Show 1st Place "Nookimos" Eastern Coastal Healing Canoe Paddle, Photography 1st Place "Girl Who Drank the Moon", Drawing Red Earth Festival / 2019, 2018
Red Earth Art Festival Youth Art Show 1st Place "Necklace", Beadwork 1st Place "Jewlery", Jewlery 1st Place "I Got Her Back, She's Got My Back", Photography |
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June 11, 2019 @monksaboutart
Articles
First American Art Magazine, Norman, OK — Launch Artist
Spring 2019 firstamericanartmagazine.com/launch-party18/
First American Art Magazine, Norman, OK — Review Molly of Denali 2019 firstamericanartmagazine.com/review-molly-of-denali/
Spring 2019 firstamericanartmagazine.com/launch-party18/
First American Art Magazine, Norman, OK — Review Molly of Denali 2019 firstamericanartmagazine.com/review-molly-of-denali/
For photo permission or copies of work please send a Direct Message via Instagram to @monksaboutart
