Working in Murano, Venice - to tell new stories with my sculpture work. Gordana's insight gave way to the connection of the infamous studio owned by Giorgio Giuman. The Glass Foundry of Giorgio was started in the 1980s. Along with the very historical tradition of Murano Glass Blowing, Giorgio went another direction with glass, the direction of lost wax glass casting. He became a master of techniques to achieve the highest skill of glass casting. His ability to combine the historic traditions with the modern innovative brought his Foundry into its own specialized class for Murano.

Venice – Lunardelli has been a delight to collaborate with for my recent exhibition of Bronze Sculptures and Paintings. Having a forum to tell our Chickasaw and Choctaw stories to international visitors and art lovers has been incredible. Native art has always been contemporary during its time of creation, the storytelling, creation, and culture have been passed down for 1000s and 1000s of years. It’s the inspiration and reference point within my work to tell these stories, a continuation of this very tradition and heart.

Venice – Lunardelli is pleased to present a collaborative exhibition of new and recent bronze sculpture and painting works by Native American artist Addison Karl, alongside the artesian work of Lunardelli at its Calle Seconda del Cristo, 2210a, 30125, in Venice. On view from the 2nd to the 30th of June, Addison’s first exhibition in Venice features bronze sculpture and painting works that reflect traditional Chickasaw and Choctaw methods of creating. Initiated on blank paper, notes, and sketches, the works find themselves on canvas, sculpture, installation, and embedded in public space. Addison shares his people’s stories through a figurative narrative, while using traditional materials, beadwork, patterns, and perseverance references - perseverance in the face of hardship may be the unifying characteristic of native peoples. Deeply informed by histories of cultural production in Chickasaw and Choctaw heritage, the artist’s work unites traditional methodologies, establishing new dialogues across time, place, and medium.

Interview and Article by Heather Clavé:

Addison Karl is no stranger to the Atlanta BeltLine. The Chickasaw and Choctaw visual artist collaborated on a project for Art on the Atlanta BeltLine with public mural artist Emmanuel Jarus in 2015, and their subsequent collaboration for the 2016 Exhibition, Purple Rain, can still be enjoyed on the Northeast Trail. For the Art on the Atlanta BeltLine 2021-2022 Exhibition, Addison Karl shows us the diversity of his artistic range with the cast-iron sculpture, Itti’ kapochcha to’li’.

During my 10 weeks at the Amazon Artist in Residence Program, we managed to create a series of new work that all correlates. My goal with the residency was to use my time to create 10 new sculptures that would then be transferred into the casting process. Rather that be the final material of bronze, iron, or glass. Out of the 10, I was successful with 8 sculptures that were finished, and with the support of Two Ravens Foundry, we also finished all the mold making. Almost all of the new work was able to use the molds to get the wax poured and created for the editions of casting.

Itti’ kapochcha to’li’ known as “little brother of war” is the Chickasaw name for a game also referred to as ‘stickball.’ Toli has been enjoyed by many of the Woodland Nations of the Southeast of the US. Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Cherokee have deep roots in the game.

In preparation for the 64th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market I have created several new sculptures in bronze. Sky, Spring, Summer and Autumn are the new pieces named in Chickasaw Shutik, Yohbi, Tohmi Pulli, & Hushtola Ummona.

Starting the 3rd week of my residency at Amazon, Seattle for the Expressions Program. The focus of this Residency is the continuation of my sculpture body.

It’s a great honor to show my work among 300 Talented American Indian Artists from 75+ Tribal Affiliations. With a collection of 220 works of art and highlighting award winners in 10 classifications.

For the Division of Bronze, both my works took place and won awards.

Title: Toli SticksMedium: Bronze - lim. ed. 1 of 10Size: 13.75" h x 7" w x 7.25" dYear: 2020

One of my favorite drawings, a Velociraptor riding a Velocipede. Known as being historically classy. Printed on Ultra Comfortable 100% Jersey Cotton, 150 gr/sqm. Short-Sleeve, Crew Unisex Neck.

Title: Revelta
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 50cm x 50cm
Year: 2020

Title: Pihli’chi
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 90cm x 140cm
Year: 2020