Mona Cliff
Spottedcloud Studio
Multidisciplinary artist
Aaniiih/Nakota/Eastern European
Artist Statement
My practice traverses Indigenous knowledge systems.
generational knowledge is at the forefront of my art practice.
Generational Knowledge connects me to my past, helping me find meaning in my presence as I look towards the future generations.
I create art through these traditional art practices, thru meditation and spiritual imbuement of the materials I use. Beadwork and Fabric applique are the foundation of my practice and I create from a place of intuition and exploration of my place my identity and lived experience.
Bio
Mona Cliff (Aniiih)is a Multidisciplinary visual artist. She explores the subject of contemporary Native American identity and culture through her use of traditional Native crafting methods such as seed bead embroidery and fabric applique. Beadwork & sewing applique have been a primary foundation of her artist practice.
Mona acquired a B.F.A in Printmaking from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA. Honoring native culture, She has continued to work on her art combining contemporary subject matters with indigenous methods of crafting. Her art also focuses on how traditional arts are passed down between generations of women. Mona pursues the concepts of generational knowledge while exploring other topics such as native futurism and identity.
Mona works as a Diversity, Equity, and inclusion field representative for indigenous communities for the Kansas Creative Arts Industry Commision.
She recently concluded a commissioned installation for the Kansas City Museum, where she is incorporating seed beads as a way to work in harmony and honor nature’s forms. She is embarking on a commissioned beaded piece spanning 17 ft' for the Kansas City Airport Terminal' 1% for the arts program.
Mona is married and has 3 children ages 11, 12& 14 years old. She currently resides in Lawrence, Kansas.
Mona Cliff is an enrolled member of the Gros Ventre tribe (A'aninin/Nakota Nations) she is Frozen Clan(Aniiih) and of the Medicine Bear Clan(Nakota) of Ft. Belknap, MT
