Native Art Exhibition at Moundville Museum | Ayukpa Pisa Chukma
There are stories that live in the land long before we shape them into art. My sculpture Ayukpa Pisa Chukma is included in the exhibit Learning from the Ancestors at the Jones Archaeological Museum, where past and present meet through the voices of contemporary Native artists. This temporary exhibit runs from February 3 to May 31, 2025, and explores how ancestral traditions—particularly from Moundville and Mississippian cultures—continue to shape and inspire contemporary Native American artists today.
Organized by Dr. Ted Clay Nelson (Director of Moundville Archaeological Park), Dr. Mairin Odle (Associate Professor of American Studies), and Brent Greenwood (Director of Fine Arts, Chickasaw Nation), this collaborative effort brings together Native artists, faculty from the University of Alabama, and museum professionals through the Collaborative Arts and Museums Program (CARI).
As a contemporary Choctaw and Chickasaw artist, my work is deeply rooted in the ancestral visual language of our Southeastern Nations. Ayukpa Pisa Chukma, a limited-edition bronze, reflects these connections—drawing on traditional forms, symbolism, and storytelling to engage with both history and present-day identity. The sculpture honors not only cultural memory but also resilience, community, and the continuity of Indigenous artistic expression.
The exhibit focuses on artists from Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and highlights the importance of re-centering museum narratives through Native perspectives. It bridges the past and present, providing a platform for Native voices and encouraging dialogue between communities, scholars, and collectors.
For art collectors, this exhibition is a rare opportunity to view museum-quality contemporary Native American artwork in a cultural and historical context. Events such as artist talks, demonstrations, and meet-and-greets will be scheduled throughout the exhibition period, offering deeper insight into the works on display.
Exhibition Dates: February 3 – May 31, 2025
Location: Jones Archaeological Museum, 634 Mound State Parkway, Moundville, AL 35474
Hours: Open daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact: (205) 371-2234
