Anchorage-based contemporary artist Tristan Agnauraq Morgan’s day job focuses on climate mitigation, which heavily inspires their art process.
While the work is incredibly important, Morgan says it can also be emotionally exhausting.
“I’m learning to translate the importance of our people, land, water, traditional foods and cultural preservation through climate adaptation and protecting infrastructure,” Morgan said. “I’ve had to take a lot of really long breaks from art because I’m learning so much and it’s so visceral. It has allowed me to really see what’s important to me as an Indigenous person first and an artist second and that I need to approach making art differently than I have before.”
Morgan thinks other Indigenous artists can relate.
“Sometimes [we] have to be the voice for a People,” Morgan said. “I wanted my voice to be more rooted this way.”
Morgan creates culturally significant pieces in watercolor, oil and digital. Recently, Morgan’s work was part of Middle Way Cafe’s InNATE Show group exhibit, an all Native artist art show that wrapped earlier this month.
“I just want to honor my mom in this story,” Morgan said. “She has shown me what it means to be an Indigenous woman, to continue [learning] about my culture, and to care for those around me. She has played a huge role in my confidence in my work and my voice, and I truly wouldn’t be where I’m at today without her love and support.”
They were always considered an artist to friends and family growing up, Morgan says, but that having familial influence helped a whole lot.
“The women in my family are seamstresses, painters, dancers [and] bakers,” Morgan said. “I was always drawing growing up and had a big imagination where I’d make up stories and characters. I just wanted to do anything that allowed me to be creative and still do, but it’s a lot easier when you’re younger.”
Morgan says they have made a lot of friends through the artist community over the years, and receives a lot of support from Indigenous folks across the state.
“We have such a thriving Anchorage art scene. You just keep showing up, it’s the best thing you can do for an artist!” Morgan said. “You don’t even want to know how much I’ve spent on earrings.”
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.
