The Tribal Mix Art and Fashion show premiered on September 7th, 2018, at the ConXion community center in San Jose California.
Artists from around the bay area showcased their artwork and fashion in a display that brought people from all over the Silicon Valley into an exhibit that represented native perspective through art unlike what you would think of as traditional native artwork.
There were no oil paintings of sunsets and weary native warriors on horses. There were no profiles of sun leathered skin and beaten looking men with long hair and wool blankets..this art show did not cater to the white man's expectation of native representation.
Every piece of art, held significant meaning, similar to the way our regalia hold cultural meaning.
If you examined the detail in each painting you would find a blend of tribal culture, and family design significant to the artist.
In an interview with artist Marcos Madril, he walked me through some of that deeper meaning for his artwork. 
“The Indifference of Men”
This painting took a year to paint, and represents men who act with good intentions, with deep seeded thought to handle bad things, but come across as taking actions the wrong way.
This man represents mixed tribes..Northern style, Chippewa style, southern style vest, and a silencer on the gun because whatever he's going to do is going to be quiet but damaging.
“Power of the Woman”
This painting sits outside Madril's daughter's bedroom and is her protector, she wears the Mandan Hidatsa style ribbon dress Apache beadwork inspired by a jingle dress dancer for her vest, and the sleeves are Philipino style ruffles.
Northern style duck trails on her face. Her hat beadwork is from beadwork that was his grandmother's and is the same style he uses for his own personal beadwork. Navajo concho belt and Anishinaabe gun holster finish off her details.
She represents a mixture of all native women. Madril described women as the most perfect beings, givers of life, nurturer and knower of deeper wisdom.
“Binary Fight”
The list of binary numbers represent the start of our major fights since 1492, followed by the Trail of Tears, 1865 Fort Laramie Treaty, Battle of Little Big horn, Wounded Knee, and Standing Rock.
He plans to update with Baton Rouge Line 3. W
here do you sit.. half in industrialization, half in traditional lands.
Can't do much without hands and feet, he is incomplete. He is regurgitating his pain.
“Casino Coin Purse”
The coin purse that can be used, but not really..Its long and holds coin, but you can't fit your hand inside.
The tipi made of brick, monetization of everything. All the gold beads are made from 24k gold, the inside is in purple satin with the words Greed and Anti-greed.
To view more of Marcos Madril's artwork you can go to his Facebook page.
He is working on a gallery website where you can purchase his artwork.
Last Updated on November 6, 2018 by PowWow Articles
