Ancestral Futurism Elk 3

This Elk series is a part of Ancestral Futurism, a temporary art installation in the Presidio Tunnel Tops in San Francisco, California that honors the diversity and interconnectedness of all humans, land, flora and fauna that have lived in the ecosystem throughout the centuries. The multi-site art installation depicts a vision for an interconnected future that begins with examining the colonial and repressive history of the Presidio. Abstract symbols reflect plants and creatures that were once abundant in the region.

Commissioned by the Partnership for the Presidio, an important goal of the art installation is to spur conversations and ideas about how the Presidio national park can be repositioned as a place of welcome, inclusion and belonging for all people and communities. As part of this project, I worked on individual color palettes and reinterpretations of the various animals in a print form as a complement to the ground mural itself.

The core concepts for the work was developed in consultation with the Presidio Activator Council, Community Experts, Native leaders, and tri-agency park staff. The project launched in conjunction with the Presidio Tunnel Tops Opening Season Activations co-curated with the Presidio Activator Council, a group of 13 community leaders, activists, and organizers tasked with developing events and activities that create a sense of belonging and connection.

For opening day, I also led two Migration is Beautiful art workshops for children and their families, and created a self guided art activity for children.