PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Chris Pappan, Kaw, agreed to an interview with Native News Network regarding his show entitled "Outside the Lines" that is being shown this weekend at the 55th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market in Phoenix.

Upon graduating high school, with a couple of art awards, he attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Pappan is an artist who lives in Chicago with his wife, Debra and daughter, Ji Hae.

Last night he learned he won the first place in Division C - Drawings (pen, pencil, charcoal, crayons, markers) at Heard Museum's 55th Indian Fair & Market for his "Buffalo Chief."

Where are you from?

Pappan: I'm an Enrolled member of the Kaw, Kanza, Nation, also, not enrolled, Osage, Cheyenne River Sioux. Kaw reservation is in Oklahoma, but I grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona.

How long have you been living in Chicago?

Pappan:I have been in Chicago for about 20 years now.

When did you attend Institute of American Indian Arts?

Pappan: In 1989, right out of high school, until 1992.

Have you always had a passion for art?

Pappan: Definitely! People always ask: How long have you been doing art, and my answer is: all my life! Although I can say I've been more serious and focused about my approach and direction for about 13 years.

Who or what are you most influenced by with your art?

Pappan: I don't really have one major influence, basically any work that excites me, if its done by an old european master or an urban native kid, I love it.

Tell us a little bit about your current show.

Pappan: I currently have a show with Navajo artist Ryan Singer at the University of Arizona in Tucson called Language of the Land. I am writing this from Phoenix, Arizona where I will be exhibiting at the Heard Museum Indian market, March 2nd and 3rd. I also have work at the Heard Museum North in Scottsdale called Outside the Lines, a contemporary ledger art exhibit.

How would you define your style?

Pappan: In terms of my drawings, I call them 21st Century Ledger drawings. Ledger art has its roots in the traditional winter counts of the plains tribes, recounting the years past events on hide. With the introduction of ledger paper, the artwork transferred to the paper medium well.

On average, how many shows or exhibits do you participate in a year?

Pappan: Probably about six to eight, although the number is increasing and that's a good thing

Do you have any advice for young aspiring artists?

Pappan: Hard work, discipline, passion, and perseverance.

Who's you're favorite Doctor? from "Doctor Who"

Pappan: My first doctor was Tom Baker, but David Tenent was my favorite!

Heard Museum
The mission of the Heard Museum is to educate people about the arts, heritage and life ways of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, with an emphasis on American Indian tribes of the Southwest.
http://www.heard.org/