Tim Shay: Granite line totem

Artist statement: "I make beaded tennis shoes because through the ages Kiowas have always adorned their footwear. Making beaded tennis shoes is simply a continuation of something started long before me: the idea that personal adornment can be an expression of self, of society, of tribe, and of humanity. I understand the immediate appeal of beaded tennis shoes - they are whimsical, fun, and familiar. However, my intention is once the viewer is comfortable, to tell a more complex story of contemporary Indian life with the beaded illustrations. Most of my tennis shoe stories deal with our living history, culture, society and daily life through imagery from a particular dance or custom. In some way then the viewer becomes educated, even if only sub-consciously, to the fact that we, as Native people, exist in the here and now and not as caricatures and stereotypes but as real and multifaceted human beings. The story then of all of the shoes I have made is that of survival from genocide. We, as Kiowas, have lived through a violent, dangerous, awesome, and proud history, and I believe in some way these shoes can stand as testament to our survival not just as people, but also of a material culture that expresses our lives and values as Kiowas in the 21st century. The beaded tennis shoes I make are my hopeful and joyful expression of the continuance of the Kiowa people." Teri Greeves,Kiowa 2009 These shoes were featured the Fuller Craft Museum's exhibit titled "The Perfect Fit: Shoes Tell Stories". 11" x 9" x 3 1/2"