Tribal artist takes pages out of the past for his work

The seemingly plain piece of ledger paper is a vast canvas for tribal artist George Flett.

Flett works with many different forms, but the yellowed paper is a resurgence of a traditional canvas for himself and other American Indian artists.

"This is very important for all of us keeping track of the things that have happened to our tribes historically," Flett told an audience of about 50 at Lewis-Clark State College's Williams Conference Center.

Flett spoke to artists of both the veteran and aspiring variety Wednesday, part of Native American Awareness Week at LCSC. A packed class earlier in the day heard a lecture on the different aspects of Nez Perce tribal treaties, and panels would later discuss American Indian education. Native American Awareness week continues today.

Some pages were originally blank, but others recorded business dealings that Flett has now covered with traditional paintings and drawings.

"This is a historical way of thinking about art," said Flett, a member of the Spokane Tribe from Wellpinit, Wash.

Flett looks to bring different aspects to the pieces but hold onto the traditional stories and legends told to him as a child, recounting those stories on the ledger pages.

His work has recently been collected in a book, and will be featured at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. this June.

"I produce work on a pretty steady basis," said Flett, who has been producing the pieces for nearly 30 years.

Flett also displayed paintings and other works Wednesday, the bright purples and oranges capturing traditional tribal dances. Flett said he often goes to tribal gatherings of the Nez Perce and other regional tribes to get inspiration for his pieces.

Flett paints traditional tribal events from memory; the movements of traditional tribal dances he said inspire him.

"I think it's fantastic," said Nez Perce tribal artist Leroy Seth of Lapwai. Seth points to the use of the bright colors, and the way the people and horses are represented that make the paintings work.

Seth, who is also a tribal dancer, said the paintings accurately represent the movements of traditional tribal dances.

Sean Cassidy views the ledger pieces as utilizing pages from old to do modern work. The LCSC professor confesses to owning several ledger art pieces at his home.

"What an amazing thing to transform something so mundane as a page from a ledger book into something so beautiful," Cassidy said.

Now an older artist, Flett hopes his and other tribal artwork will inspire future generations of American Indian artists from the region's tribes, and have fun at it.

"This is very important to me to try to pass on," he said.

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Gary may be contacted at bgary@lmtribune.com or (208) 743-9600, ext. 262.