About Artwork

This is the first of Dana Claxton’s Headdress series. Pictured is Samaya Jardey (Snuneymuxw)—a frequent figure in Claxton’s photographs and films. Jardey worked with former students of Indian Residential School for more than two decades and now focuses on Indigenous language learning as a means to support the health and wellness of her people. For Claxton, Jardey “is a deeply spiritual women and cultural practitioner.”

“We trust each other deeply… and respect each other profoundly.” This familiarity and respect is not by chance. This photograph, like the others in the series, is an image of kinship; kinship represented through relations as well as through the things that adorn each sitter. “Everything in this Headdress has been hand made from different tribal makers,” Claxton relays. “

The embellishments show care and aesthetics and I believe we need these—our communities need our own aesthetics, our own adornments.” Headdress, then, is a testament to the beauty and resilience of Indigenous women. The cultural belongings that adorn Jardey reflect the extent to which for Indigenous women identity is shaped by kinship. The items reflect the care and labour of their making and their roots in Indigenous trade, stretching back thousands of years. This image asks us to look deeper. With this headdress, Claxton asks, “who has the rights to wear a War Bonnet,” and with this, who are the Indigenous leaders, here and now. 

This beautiful work is available in three sizes:

48 x 32 inches, Edition of 25

36 x 24 inches, Edition of 50

24 x 16 inches, Edition of 100

All Prices Are In USD

For framing options and to take advantage of a special Toronto Biennial of Art discount, we recommend Superframe, a premier, arts-focused frame shop in Toronto, Canada. For more information, please visit www.superframe.ca, call: (416) 913-7590 or email: sales@superframe.ca