Evolve or Perish

My first work, created in 2018, is an improvisation of my then 18 month old daughter's favorite shapes: circle, heart, star. I chose to do a fuswv (Mvskoke word for bird) because we are bird clan which has always been and remains a significant part of the Kvntvle - Wiley family legacy. When I finished the beadwork and painting, my daughter and I walked around Sunnyside, Queens, in NYC, where she picked up some fallen leaves to stamp gold acrylic on the canvas. In this way, Mirielle's Fuswv connected with the natural world.

 When people describe my art as happy and cheerful, they are often referring to the vibrant and lively surface elements, such as the colorful flora and fauna. However, this interpretation can sometimes overlook the deeper meanings and cultural significance embedded in my work. While the outward appearance is inviting and joyous, each piece also carries a message.

 In Tvffolopv, the butterfly’s delicate and arduous formation of its wings reminds us of the importance of patience and perseverance. It teaches us that the struggles we face are not just hurdles, but essential steps in our own metamorphosis, leading us to emerge stronger and more beautiful than before. 

My daughter's favorite shape and color a the time, Kolaswv blends my her cultural background. Inspired by eagle feathers and the Pennsylvania Dutch barn star,  the celestial kolaswv merges earth-bound traditions with the expansive, timeless nature of the cosmos.

 The Oklahoma state wildflower, Indian Blanket, blooms and stands front and center. Created during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in NYC, I wanted to bring the colorful, vibrant outdoors onto the wall of our small apartment in Manhattan. This work also conveyed my inner wish to move my family to safety and return home to Oklahoma, a place where wildflowers have the space to grow freely and in abundance. 

 The friendly Eastern Bluebird greets with a hearty “estonko!” (how are you!), a common Mvskoke (Muscogee Creek) greeting. His feet reveal the Mvskoke word for bird, ‘fuswv,’ and an octagram marks his breast as a compass, an intrinsic bond to the natural world and cultural continuity.

Self-portrait against a backdrop of lyrics from the hymn, “Just As I Am”, in Mvskoke language. The earring was separately crafted in intertribal Native tradition and partially handsewn onto the canvas so the fringe can move freely, creating the opportunity for dynamic movement which has always been an important element in my performing arts career, prior to the crippling hip injury that inspired me to evolve into this new medium of expression. Designing and creating this work reminded me that I am still whole and complete, even without the ability to ambulate. “Nakvhayv” is the Mvskoke word for artist. 

In my clan, Fuswvlke (bird clan), we believe loved ones that have departed before us impart messages through birds. Upon moving my family from NYC to Oklahoma, I saw this lady cardinal. Although starting from scratch and knowing the road would be tough, my family was safe post-pandemic. My departed loved one sent a lady cardinal to check in on me, so I sent a message back. Acvfvckes. I am happy.

A petunia blooms in summer and talks of skyscrapers. Do you see it?

In this work, the Mvskoke language takes center stage, much like my early work. Except in this case, I beaded "meske" completely freehand. At this point, I began trusting my process.

 Created in celebration of my daughter’s 5th birthday, this work symbolizes her birth and the emergence of her journey from my own. The Manhattan skyline, Oklahoma evening sky, the golden lvmhe (eagle), the sun, the moon, a universal declaration of love - all important milestones of our journey together while symbolizing the interconnectedness of my heart with hers. 

 A still life of ideas, A. Day original flower designs emerge and materialize from the daily cup of kafe (coffee), a testament to the power of a brief tranquil pause and unbridled imagination. “Sem mometv,” a Mvskoke (Muscogee Creek) verb meaning ‘to imagine,’ encapsulates the very idea of creativity blooming from chaos.

 Mvto was the first word I learned in Mvskoke. The sentiment "Mvto! xo -" embodies the vibrant graffiti of NYC, a city of golden opportunity. New York and I have a complicated relationship, but I love the city, and I believe it loves me back in its own unique and wholly unexpected way.

 “Pakpvkuce” means flower in the Mvskoke (Muscogee Creek). Through a series of dots and vertical lines, the petals spell out ‘pakpvkuce’ in binary code. The combining of Mvskoke language and binary code, or machine language, symbolizes the connectivity between the past and future as well as cultural preservation through evolution. 

Two vulnerable, intertwined souls throw bold, assertive colors and glass facets at the surrounding ambiguity of an uncertain future. Each day presents a choice: drown with the naysayers or keep moving, one step at a time.

 "Do You See Me?" unfolds a visual tapestry, a journey within the enigmatic realm of tradition and evolution. At its heart, a resplendent bloom, crafted with vibrant beadwork and gilded accents, suggests themes of resilience and growth. Resting on six hexagons, the artwork embraces principles of balance, weaving a narrative of interconnectedness. Against acrylic flowers and a darkened sky, diamond-shaped stars speak of celestial guidance and an enduring culture. Encoded secrets in the beads and messages in Mvskoke language, revealed under black light, add an elusive layer. The title ponders visibility and recognition in a world resistant to transformation, inviting contemplation on the delicate dance between tradition and evolution, where meaning is woven and waiting to be discovered in quiet spaces.