As someone who endured domestic violence, I want to encourage others to share their stories of survival and recovery. The reflected figures call each other as the background reveals the impact and inner turmoil of these experiences. The red handprints are seemingly scattered and vary in transparency, yet their marks remain but do not define the figures. Through the cacophony of doubt and self-reflection, there is healing and strength if only they awaken.
This commission for Microsoft encompasses multiple Indigenous perspectives while still having distinct and recognizable characteristics that culminate into a relatable and innovative turtle design. The translucent circular designs mimic rotating gears while incorporating sustainable imagery with intangible themes that coincide with sovereignty. The piece combines hand-drawn dry pastels on black paper with digital graphics and vectorized circular patterns that acknowledge Native peoples from around Turtle Island (North America Continent), Native Hawaiians, and Samoans. The title derives from the Potawatomi language, while the vibrant background pays homage to the Anishinaabe sun and moon patterns.
Dry Pastels & Digital Composition | 110” x 167 7/16” | 2021
The retelling of an Indigenous flood story and the creation of North America.
Permanent installation at the Field Museum of Natural History.
Dry Pastels on Black Foam Board | 32” x 32” x 3/4” (per panel) | 2022
In collaboration with poet Kai Pyle (Ojibwe), the panels tell the story of Ralph Kerwineo (born Cora Anderson), a Black-Potawatomi 20th Century Chicagoan who challenged societal norms to live their chosen life.
Permanent installation at the Field Museum of Natural History.
Dry Pastels & Digital Composition | 20’ x 8’ | 2021
The Great Lakes Spirits gather to discuss the “human problem” and their lack of concern for their well-being. Great Lakes Mural is my original story.
Permanent installation at the Field Museum of Natural History.
Dry Pastels & Digital Composition | 21’ x 8’ | 2021
Lake Michigan pleads for help, but an angry Sky only wants to punish them. She eventually convinces Sky, who reluctantly agrees to assist the Lakes. Great Lakes Mural is my original story.
Permanent installation at the Field Museum of Natural History.
Dry Pastels & Digital Composition | 21’ x 8’ | 2021
With Sky’s help, the Lakes speak to the humans using their lake effects such as extreme winds, water levels rising, large fog clouds, and more. Great Lakes Mural is my original story.
Permanent installation at the Field Museum of Natural History.
Dry Pastels | 48”x40” | 2021
Commission for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work. This piece is meant to bring awareness to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit movement. Four out of five Indigenous women experience domestic violence, and I am part of that statistic.
Dry Pastels & Digital Composition | 2022
Dry Pastels & Digital Composition | 11” x 17” | 2022
Commission for the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition for the commemoration day of Muhammad Ali/Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dry Pastels | 40” x 60” | 2021
Dry Pastels | 9”x9” | 2019
This piece is a part of the Floating Museum’s Cultural Transit Assembly project, featured on the CTA Green Line. Kitihawa was a Potawatomi woman who married Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, a French-Haitian fur trader, in the 1700s. I was inspired by their story and vision of what could be for the Chicago area.
Dry Pastels | 14"x11" | 2017
Based on a Potawatomi legend about a turtle revolt against the encroaching humans.
Dry Pastels | 14”x11” | 2017
Based on an African folktale about a tortoise and falcon that race to win the hand of the chief’s daughter. Another example of my love for turtles and their cultural significance.
Dry Pastels | 11”x14” | 2020
This piece was a gift to my eldest brother after his divorce. It reflects on the impact others have in our lives and the effects on our core self. Their influence is still felt long afterward, and it’s up to the individual what to do with it.
White Charcoal | 18” x 24” | 2016
White Charcoal | 18” x 24” | 2016
White charcoal | 9” x 12” | 2016
White Charcoal | 12” x 9” | 2016
Charcoal | 11” x 14”
Charcoal | 9” x 9”
Charcoal | 2014
Charcoal | 2014
Graphic designs, fan art, and illustrated commissions.
Vectors | 2018
Commission for the Association on American Indian Affairs’ 4th Annual Repatriation Conference.
Vectors | 2019
Commission for Native Americans in Philanthropy.
Vectors | 2021
Commission for Native News Online.
Vectors | 2019
Dream Warriors: Tanaya Winder, Frank Waln, and Lyla June
Vectors + Photoshop | 2021
Rainbow Brite and Godzilla fan fic anniversary gift.
Vectors | 2022
Commission for Sindecuse Museum of the University of Michigan.
Vectors | 2019
Vectors | 2017
Vectors | 2017
Vectors | 2021
Vectors | 2016
Vectors | 2020
Vectors | 2012
Vectors | 2011
Vectors | 2017
*Created for Upworthy. Confidential and not for distribution
Vectors | 2018
Illustrations and designs for children’s books, character development content, and book covers.
Book cover commission in 2022.
Book illustrations for Journey of the Freckled Indian.
Excerpt from JOFI.
Excerpt from JOFI.
Book cover of J. W. The Deaf Drummer.
Poster for Smyles Creative, LLC.
From Smyles Creative, LLC.
From Smyles Creative, LLC.
Commissioned book cover.
Inflatable Nylon | 2019
Model for Kitihawa, part of the Floating Museum’s Cultural Transit Assembly project.
Documentation of a live recording on August 28, 2021. This performance includes an original poem, a lullaby in the voice of Kitihawa DuSable hipping her children to the viscous nature of the colonizer. This performance also includes an ekphrastic poem written by Monica Rickert-Bolter in response to the original poem. This is 1 of 4 arrangements produced in the Floating Museum's Critical Distance Series.
Materials: Monica Rickert-Bolter [as Kitihawa (speaker)], Brother El [sound design], Jesse 5K [as DuSable (speaker)], P-Top [Footwork] avery r. young [poem, griot].
Watch here.
“Dream” exhibition opening.
“Dream” exhibition opening.
As part of the “translator” project, avery young performs with portraits of Kitihawa (Monica) and Dusable (Jesse 5k) at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, 2021.
Center for Native Futures Booth at EXPO Chicago, 2022.
Monica and her Tribal Chairman Joseph Rupnick in front of Mshike Mnise (Turtle Island) at the Field Museum.
“Founders” was spotted in downtown Chicago.
With collaborators Eric Perez, Chris Pappan, Monica, and Faheem Majeed.
![translator.05 - joy [2021] Performance](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58ab1c20be6594a08431c8eb/1655154431123-FK2NAQ8B1X3777ME01O9/Screen+Shot+2022-06-13+at+4.06.01+PM.png)
