Opening reception November 2nd, 6-9pm
Brittany Kiertzner’s Evermore is an exhibition that transcends the boundaries of traditional visual art, offering a spiritual journey grounded in the wisdom and heritage of Mohawk Iroquois culture. Inspired by E. Pauline Johnson’s poem Dawendine, the exhibition draws on themes of authenticity and renewal, inviting viewers to engage in a deeper contemplation of their place within the interconnected web of life.
Kiertzner’s paintings, rooted in her Mohawk heritage, are not just representations of the natural world—they are powerful expressions of the spiritual teachings found in animal beings and celestial symbols. These motifs, such as the circle wampum, serve as reminders of the harmony and balance that exist in the universe, encouraging viewers to reflect on the profound interconnectedness of all living things. Each brushstroke, color choice, and texture in her work is imbued with meaning, offering a meditative space where cultural symbolism meets the broader themes of regeneration and spiritual authenticity.
Through her dynamic use of color and texture, Kiertzner creates a visual dialogue between the material and the mystical, calling upon viewers to celebrate the richness of her Mohawk heritage while connecting with universal human experiences. Evermore is not simply an exhibition—it is a call to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the deeper truths that unite us all.
E. Pauline Johnson’s poem Dawendine tells the story of a young woman who is deeply connected to nature and represents an idealized figure of Indigenous beauty, grace, and wisdom. Dawendine is portrayed as living in harmony with the land, the animals, and the rhythms of the natural world, embodying the spiritual and cultural values of the Mohawk and broader Indigenous traditions. The poem celebrates Dawendine’s relationship with nature, her authenticity, and her groundedness in the cycles of life, suggesting that her strength and beauty come from her deep connection to the earth and her ability to live in balance with it.
In Dawendine, Johnson describes a profound communion between the titular character and her environment, emphasizing themes of interconnectedness and mutual respect. Dawendine is not separate from nature; instead, she is part of it, moving through the natural world with ease and understanding. Her presence is a reminder of the sacred bond between human beings and the natural world, a relationship that is often overlooked or diminished in modern life. This sense of interconnectedness and respect for nature resonates strongly with Brittany Kiertzner’s work in Evermore, where depictions of animal beings and celestial symbols serve as powerful metaphors for the deeper spiritual ties that bind all life.
The poem also reflects on themes of authenticity and identity. Dawendine is presented as a figure who is true to herself, living in harmony with her cultural heritage and natural surroundings. Johnson paints Dawendine as a woman who draws strength and renewal from her relationship with the earth, suggesting that living authentically means living in accordance with the values and wisdom of one’s ancestors. Kiertzner’s art reflects a similar exploration of authenticity, both personal and cultural. As a member of the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, her work is deeply rooted in her own Mohawk Iroquois heritage, and she channels that authenticity into her paintings, which celebrate Indigenous traditions and teachings while inviting viewers to reconnect with their own sense of self and place in the world.
Both Dawendine and Evermore emphasize the themes of renewal and cyclical existence. In the poem, Dawendine’s relationship with nature is a source of spiritual renewal, an idea that finds expression in the changing seasons and the constant cycles of life and death in the natural world. This mirrors Kiertzner’s use of vibrant, clashing colors and rich textures to symbolize regeneration and the constant movement of life. The exhibition also incorporates symbols such as the circle wampum, which represents the eternal cycles of life, unity, and continuity. Together, Johnson’s Dawendine and Kiertzner’s Evermore invite viewers to reflect on their place within these cycles, recognizing the profound interconnectedness of all living beings and the possibility for spiritual growth and renewal through that connection.
Brittany Kiertzner’s body of work, is deeply grounded in the belief that painting should serve as a bridge between abstraction and representation, a medium capable of revealing the hidden social and cultural layers of the universe. This philosophy manifests in her ability to merge seemingly opposing styles and traditions into a cohesive visual language. Drawing inspiration from European Surrealism, American abstraction, and the geometric motifs of her Native American heritage. Kiertzner draws on Native American art history, and painters such as Lee Mullican and Paul Klee, as she creates paintings that are both rich in cosmological meaning and visually compelling. Her connection to her heritage, as a tribal member of the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, lends her work a profound sensitivity to the abstract patterns found in the natural world—patterns that often serve as metaphors for broader social and cultural themes.
Kiertzner's unique visual style is marked by her use of contrasting yet complementary elements. She favors bold, clashing colors that seem to conflict at first glance, yet work together to create a sense of dynamic harmony. This interplay of opposites is one of the defining characteristics of her work, as she strives to balance serenity with stimulation, order with chaos. The resulting imagery captivates the viewer by evoking both an immediate emotional response and a lingering sense of contemplation.
Her technique, heavily influenced by both printmaking and contemporary impressionism, involves the creation of thick ridges of paint that form raised, puckered lines across the canvas. These tactile, three-dimensional lines give the paintings a sculptural quality, inviting viewers to engage not just with the visual aspects of the work, but also with its texture and physicality. At the same time, her brushwork retains a loose, expressive quality that lends the surface of the painting a scumbled, almost atmospheric effect. Light plays across these varied surfaces, casting shadows and creating subtle highlights, which add to the dreamlike, surreal quality of her work.
Kiertzner’s ability to synthesize such varied influences into a unified artistic vision is one of the hallmarks of her practice. By combining traditional and modern techniques, abstract and representational elements, and cultural symbolism with the organic forms of nature, she creates works that are at once deeply personal and universally resonant. Her paintings offer a meditative exploration of color, form, and texture, while also inviting viewers to reflect on broader themes of identity, heritage, and the interconnectedness of all living things.
Discover more at: https://www.ahmadshariffgallery.com/gallery-artists/brittany-kiertzner
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