An Interview with Blackfoot (Piikani Band) artist John Isaiah Pepion.
CARAVAN President, Paul G. Chandler, had the privilege of interviewing the noted contemporary indigenous artist John Isaiah Pepion, a member of the Piikani Band of the Blackfoot Confederacy in the Great Plains region of the USA, who is also a participating artist in our GROUNDED exhibition. He had the honor of being selected as the poster artist for the new PBS documentary by the renowned filmmaker Ken Burns titled "The American Buffalo."
"If it were not for art, I do not know where I would be today. Art saved my life."
John Isaiah Pepion
Photos credit: Whitney Snow
John Isaiah Pepion is an acclaimed artist, muralist and educator who hails from the Blackfeet Nation (Piikani Band of the Blackfoot Confederacy) in northern Montana. His Plains Indian graphic art combines traditional design and contemporary illustrations. John considers his art journey ceremonial because his understanding of his past, family, and culture grows with each piece he creates.
A descendent of Mountain Chief, a Blackfeet leader who preserved history through numerous “winter counts,” a series of pictographs drawn on buffalo hide, cloth, or paper that was used to help remember community history among some tribes of the Northern Great Plains. Best known for his ledger art, John comes from a family of artists where ledger art has been in his family for hundreds of years. He aspires to have a positive impact on his community though his art activities and beyond. When not creating art, he is an active public speaker and educator who has traveled the country speaking at public schools, organizations and with groups of aspiring artists. John holds formal degrees in Art Marketing and Museum Studies from United Tribes Technical College and the Institute of American Indian Arts, respectively.
In 2018, John began working with Native-owned Eighth Generation and their Inspired Natives Project with the goal of increasing his business capacity. His goal is to bring his cultural art to market while maintaining control over the stories embedded within it.
For more information: johnisaiahpepion.com
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When was art introduced into your life? And how did you end up becoming an artist?
You can say art was introduced into my life at an incredibly young age. I come from a family of artists. My grandfather Daniel “Webb” Pepion Sr. was an oil painter and wood carver. He was the most influential person to me. While growing up he would have me sketch trees, grass, and fence posts. He encouraged me to draw every day. The urge to create and draw nonstop was how I ended up becoming an artist.
What formative influences have shaped your creative life in becoming the artist that you are today?
Most importantly my community plays a key role in my creative life because where would I be without my community? I draw inspirations from my homelands, especially with the mountains and wildlife. My culture is a huge inspiration as well for my creativity, especially our creation stories.
Our Story, 2024, Ink on antique ledger paper, 17 ¾" x 28 ½"
Your artistic style is quite unique. Also, you often use ledger paper as your “canvas.” Can you share with us a little about what you would say you are attempting to accomplish in your artwork? Is there an overarching general theme that much of your artwork is attempting to communicate?
At this point in my life what I hope to accomplish with the work I create is the importance of authenticity and accuracy. When you see my work, you know that it's “Blackfeet.” From the color schemes to the designs. I am continuing the tradition of storytelling within my artwork. I am telling my story.
Story Night, 2023, Ink, color pencil, and acrylic on antique Montana map, 13 6/8" x 21 3/4"
The American Buffalo, the bison, is very often depicted in your artwork. Can you share with us why the bison plays such an integral part in your paintings?
Like the buffalo, we as Indigenous people were also led to near extermination. Like the buffalo, we Indigenous people too are making a comeback. The buffalo is the staff of life to most Indigenous people. I honor the buffalo within my artwork.
Buffalo Bulls, 2024, Ink on antique ledger paper, 17 3/4" x 28 1/2"
As you are aware, CARAVAN sees the arts as being able to have a transformative influence on our world. Can you share with us your perspective on the power of art?
Art heals. I have used art within my own healing journey. If it were not for art I do not know where I would be today. Art saved my life. I also spent an earlier part of my art career doing art workshops throughout the US and Canada. I collaborated with several communities but primarily focused on Indigenous communities. I was able to reach youth with the power of art along with sharing my own art journey. Most recently I spent 4 years as a high school art teacher and witnessed how art can play a significant role in our youths' lives.
I see that the renowned US documentary filmmaker Ken Burns used your artwork as the branding for his recent film titled “The American Buffalo.” You were the poster artist for the film. How did all that come about?
SJI Associates of New York City reached out to me about becoming the poster artist for his “The American Buffalo” documentary. After submitting poster designs, PBS chose my artwork.
You are from the Blackfeet Nation. Please share with us a little about the role of the arts among the Blackfeet, both historically, culturally and in today’s context. Do you see contemporary art in your tribe being valued in new ways, and if so, how? Are there increasing numbers of emerging artists surfacing?
We have no word for art or artist in our language. The closest translation we have in our language is “storyteller.” The collections people see of my tribe in museums were used as everyday items. Nowadays we have numerous artists from communities within the Blackfeet Indian reservation. We also have several talented artists who live off the reservation. Traditional and contemporary art is flourishing amongst Blackfeet artists and will continue to thrive for generations to come.
War Horse, 2024, Ink, color pencil, and acrylic on antique Montana Map, 13 5/8" x 21 3/4"
How do you feel our world can benefit from Native American visual artists at this time?
I think the world can benefit from Indigenous visual artists at this time by allowing us our own voice, space, and seat at the table. We are often overlooked and put in corners or never allowed to share our own narrative. Museums and institutions have been telling the world of who we are and often we are seen as forgotten or extinct along with the dinosaurs. It is time for us to tell our own story.
Artwork - clockwise from top left:
-Piikani Country, Ink and Colored Pencil on Antique Document, 17" x 24"
-Everything, 2023, Ink on antique ledger paper, 17 ¾" x 28 ½"
-Painted Buffalo Skull, Acrylic and bone
-Blackfoot Forever, Painted Buffalo Robe
Why were you enthusiastic about participating in our GROUNDED exhibition?
The line up of renowned artists is what drew me in to participating in GROUNDED. I was able to attend a couple of the openings and it was always a great turnout. It is an honor being in this exhibition.
John Pepion (second from left) at a GROUNDED exhibition opening, with Indigenous artists
(L to R) Jim Yellowhawk, Jackie Sevier, Robert Martinez
Can you share with us what you are artistically working on at this time?
I am preparing for Far West NYC. Far West NYC is a special exhibition being held at Arcadia Gallery – SoHo, NYC, curated by Mark Maggiori, on September 9-10, 2024.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us that is on your heart at this time?
To anyone going through challenging times, never give up. Give it your all while you have the chance.
Backbone, 2022, Ink on antique Montana map, 28.5” x 22.5” (framed)
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