My artistic journey delves into the intricate interplay between place, memory, and the female form. Through painting, collage, and video, I explore beyond familiar boundaries, tapping into the expansive potential of large-scale works, propaganda, nostalgia, and notions of home. Grounded in theoretical frameworks addressing the public sphere and embodied knowledge, my work sparks conversations about personal empowerment and broader societal shifts, fostering hope and transformation.

My figurative pieces serve as narratives of Native American identities, tracing our trajectories from pre-reservation times to contemporary urban existence. These artworks highlight the spaces connecting ancestral lands to cityscapes. However, at the core of my practice lies centering Indigenous women’s stories and experiences. Through my art, I amplify their voices in today’s world, emphasizing our ongoing determination and cultural preservation. Documenting these narratives becomes my modern-day ledger art, depicting images and stories that deserve visibility. Too often, Indigenous women remain invisible, lacking authentic representation. My paintings uphold our traditions, reflect our diverse experiences, and ensure our people feel acknowledged and appreciated.

Avis Charley (Spirit Lake Dakota / Diné) is a visual artist born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She earned her BFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico (2018). She is a ledger artist and painter who creates figurative drawings and paintings that chronicle the evolving Native American identity from pre-reservation period to the present day, from ancestral homelands to the contemporary urban context.