Cristin Tierney Gallery and Elizabeth Leach Gallery are pleased to participate in The Armory Show with a special joint presentation in the Galleries Section of new and recent work by Sara Siestreem (Hanis Coos). The Armory Show opens with an invite-only preview day on Thursday, September 5th, and continues through Sunday, September 8th.
Siestreem, a multidisciplinary artist from Oregon and a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, integrates the ceremonial traditions of her ancestors with contemporary techniques and materials. Her art intersects social and ecological justice, education, and Indigenous feminism. The artist’s creative process is guided by observations of nature, blending formal structure with improvisational practice.
Displayed at the fair will be the artist’s multi-panel paintings and sculptures. The over-fourteen-foot-wide painting, they would prefer to be a cloud, fastened to the rock, features dynamic geometric shapes in black and white, yellow, red, and blue, including triangles and rectangles overlaid with graphite lines and expressive, dripped paint. Like all of her recent paintings, the work is inspired by weaving patterns, ancestral ceremonial traditions, and observations from nature. Xeroxed photo transfers of Siestreem's hands and handmade baskets are incorporated into the composition, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the intimate space. The carefully arranged elements are stand-ins for bodily presences, serving as a reminder of historic, colonial violence against Indigenous people and the land.
Another highlight is the dj and the fire next time saved my life last night, a finely crafted basket that combines traditional weaving techniques with contemporary expression. The basket is woven from Red Cedar bark, Sedge, and Sweetgrass, materials native to the regions of Beaverton, Umpqua, and Linton, respectively. The intricate weaving and the unique blend of materials create a dynamic texture, echoing the resilience and beauty of Hanis Coos traditions. The work is a testament to Siestreem’s deep connection to her cultural heritage and the natural world. The title suggests a narrative of salvation and transformation, hinting at the personal and cultural stories interwoven within the piece.
“Art is a historic record and public education, an expression of cultural authority, and an act of love. I hope my people see themselves in mine, and that it brings them joy.”
- Sara Siestreem (Hanis Coos)
Concurrently with this presentation at The Armory Show, Cristin Tierney Gallery is excited to present milk and honey, a solo exhibition of new and recent works by Siestreem. milk and honey will open on the evening of Friday, September 6th, with a reception from 6:00 to 8:00 PM where the artist will be present. This exhibition will be on view at 219 Bowery, Floor 2, through October 19th.
Sara Siestreem (Hanis Coos, b. 1976, Springfield, OR) is a multidisciplinary artist from the Umpqua River Valley on the South Coast of Oregon, working in painting, photography, printmaking, weaving, and large-scale installation. She was awarded the University of Oregon’s 2022-23 CFAR Fellowship and the 2022 Forge Project Fellowship, which recognized her as one of six Indigenous individuals representing a broad diversity of cultural practices, participatory research, organizing models, and geographic contexts that honor Indigenous pasts and build Native futures. Her work, which has been exhibited internationally, is in many collections, including the Gochman Family Foundation (Miami, FL), Forge Project (Mahicannituck [Hudson River] Valley, NY), Missoula Art Museum (MT), Museum of Fine Art (Boston, MA), and the Portland Art Museum (OR).
Siestreem’s work was recently included in the landmark 2023 book An Indigenous Present, conceived and edited by Jeffrey Gibson (Mississippi Choctaw/Cherokee). Coming from a family of professional artists and educators, she began her training at home. Her lifelong mentor is Lillian Pitt (Wasco, Warm Springs, Yakama), and her weaving teachers are Greg Archuleta (Grand Ronde) and Greg A. Robinson (Chinook Nation). Siestreem graduated Phi Kappa Phi with a BS from Portland State University in 2005. She earned an MFA with distinction from Pratt Art Institute in 2007. She created a self-sustaining weaving program for the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw people. She lives and works in Portland, Oregon, and is represented by the Elizabeth Leach Gallery.
Founded in 2010, Cristin Tierney Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located on The Bowery with a deep commitment to the presentation, development, and support of a roster of both established and emerging artists. Its program emphasizes artists engaged with critical theory and art history, with an emphasis on conceptual, video, and performance art. Education and audience engagement are central to our mission.
Established in 1981, the Elizabeth Leach Gallery presents prominent Northwest and internationally established artists working in a wide variety of contemporary media. The gallery's mission is to create a dynamic dialogue between the local community and the global art world. The gallery also participates in invitational art fairs and has built significant collections for both private individuals and corporate clients.
Cristin Tierney Gallery and the Elizabeth Leach Gallery are members of the ADAA (Art Dealers Association of America).