Artist Biography
Originally from Minnesota, Leila Verley is a printmaker and beadworker based in Santa Fe, NM. Being of mixed Ojibwe, Mvskoke, and settler heritage, her work pushes the boundaries of what can be defined as Native American art. Through layers of imagery and textiles, her work explores the intersections of her lesbian Indigeneity. Drawing inspiration from her community dynamics and personal hardships, she examines important themes of queer identity, eroticism, and colonial impact.
Artist Statement
My experiences as an Indigenous and lesbian woman in America directly impact the work I make. I create in hopes of increasing queer Indigenous representation in fine art spaces and the world at large. The layers of printmaking processes, tribal specific imagery, and textile adornments in my work refer to the intersection of my identities. In a world that often needs reminding that Native communities still exist, my work shines a light on the sacred two-spirit community that was nearly erased by colonialism.