Naatsikapamatoosin Two Smudge (Matthew Provost) | Niitoyis (Home)
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The Gallery at Casa 230 8 Street, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 5H2
Naatsikapamatoosin Two Smudge (Matthew Provost), “Niitoyis - Medallion,” no date
(courtesy of the Artist)
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 7, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Finding ways to integrate the feeling of home into Matthew’s work is a key component. Growing up in Piikani, Southern Alberta Matthew took notice of Niitoyis (Lodges) from cultural events and ceremonies. Now later in life these memories have come full circle, cultural teachings and Blackfoot ways of knowing have influenced his work. Matthew now dedicates his work to relearning Niitsitapi ways while drawing on contemporary forms of design to merge his practice with experience.
Naatsikapamatoosin Two Smudge – Matthew Provost, is a Siksikaitsitapii (Blackfoot) designer and visual artist from the Piikani Nation based currently in Vancouver, BC. Matthew Provost continues to utilize research as a component of design to recreate contemporary elements of Niitoyis – Blackfoot Lodges. His practice is broad and encompasses varying elements of design which he includes in garment construction, beadwork, and printwork. Matthew has created designs for Crack Gallery, and Beadwork for Better Gift Shop™, Toronto, Balansa Sound Shop, Busan, South Korea, and Nepenthes, New York. He is an emerging designer and has showcased collections in Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, and Santa Fe throughout 2023 and 2024. www.twosmudge.com