Tovaangar (A Seal of), Weshoyot Alvitre, 2022
Tovaangar (A Seal of), Weshoyot Alvitre, 2022
Weshoyot Alvitre
Tovaangar (A Seal of), 2022
Serigraph, Ed. of 62
30 x 22 in.
Tovaangar: (A Seal) is a response to the history of the City of Los Angeles, TOVAANGAR. It highlights the history of Self Help Graphics's print studio, founded by a Franciscan nun, and features the Tongva/ Gabrielino people, the Original People of Los Angeles. The tribe's story is interwoven with the effects of colonization and intermarriage directly associated with the mission system and Spanish caste system headed by Franciscan monks, led by Junipero Serra. Serra was not only responsible for the colonization and enslavement of Native communities from Baja to San Francisco but was directly involved in the San Gabriel Mission's establishment, which paved the path for the City's formation. Although SHG was founded by a Franciscan nun, it provides a space for social justice and art, a platform for healing and resiliency, despite opposing belief systems or past histories. The current seal of Los Angeles has been amended over the years to reflect a Tongva/Gabrielino woman. However, she is still dressed in European clothing with an air of westernized female servitude, reinforcing an illusion that the Original people were primitive hunter/gatherers and passive to colonial efforts. This print depicts a Tongva woman in traditional regalia and ceremonial objects. The artist seeks to reassert the narrative that we are a sovereign nation and that Native women could also have a place in political power, serve as medicine people and chiefs, and collectively make decisions for the betterment and welfare of their people. Despite colonization by the Franciscans, the mission system, and the United States Government, WE ARE STILL HERE. This land is unceded Tongva lands.
Weshoyot Alvitre is a Tongva (Los Angeles Basin) and Scottish comic book artist and illustrator. She was born in the Santa Monica Mountains on the property of Satwiwa, a cultural center started by her father, Art Alvitre. She grew up close to the land and was raised with traditional knowledge that inspires the work she does today. Weshoyot has been working in the comics medium for over 15 years and has since contributed to numerous Eisner award-winning books, including the "Umbrella Academy" (Darkhorse Comics), "Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream" (Locust Moon Press), and "Little Bird" (Image Comics). She has earned accolades for her work that visualizes historical material including "Graphic Classics: Native American Classics" (Eureka Productions) The Cattle Thief, 2018 AILA Best Middle School Book "Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers" (Native Realities Press), 2018 Pew Arts & Heritage Grant funded "Ghostriver: The Fall and Rise of the Conestoga" (Library Company of Philadelphia/Native Realities Press) and 2020 American Indian Youth Literature Award - Picture Book Honor "At The Mountain's Base" (Kokila). Alvitre has also illustrated numerous work of political illustrations in support of the NODAPL movement for Standing Rock, protecting Puvungna, Mauna Kea, and against the border wall on Indigenous lands. She illustrated 12 pages of sequential comic art, which has been used on their site and as a tool for teachers nationwide. Alvitre has partnered with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian on Native Knowledge 360°, a national educational initiative to inspire and support teachings about Native Americans through the comics. She has also guest lectured at their museum onsite in Washington DC. Alvitre partnered with award-winning video game designer Elizabeth Lapensee Ph. D. (Michigan State University) on the educational game "When Rivers Were Trails" for the Native curriculum nationwide. The game has been awarded the Adaptation Award at IndieCade 2019 and featured internationally. Alvitre has consciously chosen to work primarily within Native-owned publications and educational avenues to further support a self-funded narrative on past, present, and future native issues. Through this voice and her artwork, she can communicate her unique viewpoint and continue a substantial dialogue on important issues to her as a Native woman.