Meet Ahchipaptunhe | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ahchipaptunhe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ahchipaptunhe, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My decision to pursue a creative career came much later in my life. However, during my youth, I always leaned toward the arts. Photography, old English poetry, and drafting were the only classes my teachers could help direct my creative outbursts. My parents both served and retired from the United States Military, a lifestyle that caused frequent moving, uncertainties, and fears of parents being called to combat zones. The creative world served as my resource for escaping the world that was always changing. The creative field was nothing more than, a coping tool instead of a possible career choice.

When something is ingrained in you it has a way of manifesting itself back into your life. Like my parents, I went off to serve in the U.S. Navy. My time in the service was a difficult period of my life and once more I found myself returning to the arts especially, photography, and graphic design, and a newfound interest in furniture design. After my time in the service, I studied at Pratt Institute where I focused my education on furniture and exhibit design. While my love for design is still significant to my artwork it was at Pratt that my love for painting would grow.

Throughout my life when I felt stuck in a process I utilized art as a tool to overcome internal or external barriers. Utilizing design practices, and artistic expression I found myself immersed in the world of art as an exhibit designer and arts program specialist here in the valley (Phoenix, Arizona). Working as an exhibit designer I developed deeper patterns of context and storytelling through visual methods, while as an arts program specialist I focused on how creative practices impact mental health, the benefits of art in the humanities, and what’s experienced by initiating art.

I came into the creative industry to experience art and to share that love of experience with others. And I live for this career as it provides me the passion to develop, change, grow, and seek understanding into the mysteries of self.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The voice of my work is unique in the industry as I approach my practice from an outside perspective. Utilizing a combination of design practices, and indigenous context merged in a contemporary style. I call my work Native Modern as I seek to impress upon viewers that indigenous culture is an ever-present voice that moves beyond the symbols or structures that are typically assigned to indigenous ways of life.

The utilization of design thinking processes is affluent in my art, I approach a canvas similar to a design project. I believe this methodical interaction is simply one of the layers that define me as an artist. What I love about the design industry is that it requires creatives to ask questions, to research, to iterate, and ultimately the outcome is to create something that best solves a need. I approach art in that same manner focused on the process and the overall question of what I am creating for.

The design principles introduced by Rowena Reed Kostellow, an early American industrial designer and founder of the industrial design program at Pratt guide my physical approach to painting. Line, plane, and volume along with form, space, and color are tools I utilize consistently in my work. I control these applications by understanding their interactions, which is done by evaluating their relationships based on dominant, subdominant, and subordinate characteristics. This design 101 approach provides control over my work and helps to elevate the context in which I seek to solve.

The design process is how I create my work, but the why, or the context of my work comes from an internal narrative. As a member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, I fear that one day my nation’s history, beliefs, practices, and knowledge will be lost. To combat this erasure I prefer to use contemporary art as it provides no immediate visual clues that are typically assigned to indigenous peoples. Instead, it requires an active engagement of questioning and discussion to take place. My art is meant to meet the viewer from a place of a new beginning, A starting point that discusses the complexities of iconography beyond their physical qualities.

My success in art was preluded by years of devotion and growth in various industries before becoming an artist. Those years provided important skills such as work ethics, perseverance, self-belief, and wide perspective. As an artist, it can be difficult to measure success. In traditional work environments success is based on job performance, financial reward, or service provided, however in my practice I find those not to be ideal methods for measurement. However, in my work, I believe evolving, developing, and accurately expressing my thoughts as an individual are paramount to my success. A humble mentor of mine once stated that he measured his success on that he was able to continue creating. So to that point, I find my way through this industry by simply showing up daily to do work, and hope one day when I look back I will see that belief is what has made this life possible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My itinerary typically evolves around food, art, and history with that being said I believe Arizona is rich in all these aspects with an additional caveat that we have a unique landscape that allows for beautiful outdoor recreational activities as well. With a one-week visit, I would start with exploring downtown Phoenix.

Day One: Starts at the Heard, followed by the Phoenix Art Museum, For a late lunch I would go to either Match market and bar, Farish House, or Matt’s Big Breakfast. These areas have a wealth of attractions to explore such as murals, the Japanese Friendship Garden, and art galleries such as Found:RE, Modified Arts, the Bently Gallery, and Cahokia. If a cup of coffee and unique architecture are called for I would then follow with a visit to Palabra for modernism, Song Bird Coffee and Tea for cozy and relaxation, or Xanadu Coffee for urban chill. For dinner, I would suggest Cibo, The Vig, or The Arrogant Butcher.

Day Two: Early start at Tempe Beach Park to show my public sculpture “Sacred Vessels”. Following the walk head to ASU to see ASU Art Museum Ceramics Research Center, the Nelson Fine Arts Center, and the ASU Art Museum. Grab a bite for lunch in Mesa at either Hope’s Frybread or Gus’s World Fried Chicken. Enjoy the afternoon visiting the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum. For dinner head into Old Town Scottsdale for some local knickknacks and gift shopping. Finishing the night off with dinner at either The Mission Old Town for a modern take on Latin cuisine, or Los Olivos for a more traditional take on Latin dining with interesting architecture.

Day Three: Time to get out of the valley. Staying overnight in Payson, Pine, or Strawberry. While leaving the valley would visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West followed by a stop in Fountain Hills to see the fountain and more importantly grab lunch and sweets for the road. DJ Bagels for all your favorite deli-made items and of course Chocofin is known for its chocolates. Leaving Fountain hills take the 87 north to Payson enjoying the beautiful desert and mountain landscapes along the way. Once entering Payson for dinner I would recommend the Mazatzal Hotel and Casino of the Tonto Apache Tribe.

Day Four: Enjoying the outdoors I would start the day by grabbing something from PIEbar AZ (Strawberry), The Early Bird Cafe (Pine), or Cross Winds (Payson) for breakfast. The following breakfast would hike the Tonto Natural Bridge Park, For dinner would eat at La Sierra Mexican Restaurant for local Payson Mexican takeout, Pine Provisions, or Old Country Inn (Pine).

Day Five: Leaving Rim Country for Flagstaff. The first stop is at Montezuma Castle National Monument followed by Montezuma Well. Next, a drive through Sedona enjoying the natural environment stopping off to grab lunch and do some window shopping. Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village have many options for grabbing food and checking art. Pump House Station Urban Eatery and Market have some nice backyard sitting areas for taking in the surroundings. For something a little further down the road, I also like Indian Gardens Cafe and Market. Leaving Sedona by Route 89A provides some great mountain views on the way to Flagstaff. For dinner, there are several choices along North San Fransisco Street near route 66

Day 6: Morning start with either Firecreek Coffee Company or Lux North. Spending the day visiting the Museum of Northern Arizona, and the NAU’s Clara M. Lovett Art museum. After the art experiences enjoy an evening of local breweries and distilleries. Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery, and many other options on West Phoenix Avenue near route 66. Depending on the season Walnut Canyon National park is a 20-minute drive outside of Flagstaff.

Day 7: Early start grab breakfast and snacks for a full day of site seeing and hiking around Grand Canyon National Park. Drive back to Phoenix.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been many friends, family, teachers, and mentors who have encouraged me to seek this life of self-expression. However, the two most significant people to influence my life are those whom I have never met Neolin and Rowena Reed Kostellow.

Neolin, a Lenape medicine man from the late 18th century has taught me how to embrace my native roots, honor my ancestors, and live my life seeking the great mystery. Neolin sought to stop the erasure of Native American beliefs, cultures, and traditions. I believe his service to my nation and others led to safeguarding our ways. I seek to honor his life by sharing my ancestral beliefs, traditions, and history in my work and by the way I live my life.

While studying at Pratt Institute I was introduced to the teachings and practices of Rowena Reed Kostellow. She was one of the leading American Industrial Designers in history. Her education practices and approaches utilized modern scientific practices coupled with aesthetic beauty which greatly advanced the design industry. Those methodologies and techniques are not about a specific trade but instead can be incorporated into all aspects of life. Her lessons teach how to look at the world through a design lens, and once I have expressed that visual understanding I have sought to further develop that into my practice and way of living.

Website: https://ahchipaptunhe.wixsite.com/website-2

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahchipaptunhe/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-l-haff/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ahchipaptunhe