This exhibition features Indigenous circles formed by an assemblage of exquisite feathers created by Native American artist Cynthia “Listens to the Wind” Ross Meeks. In Flight is currently on display at the Atrium Gallery, One Capitol Hill, main floor of the state’s Administration Building in Providence, through June 7. Cynthia traced her ancestry back to the Royal House of the Pokanoket Tribe, a direct descent of Massasoit.
Narragansett, Pequot and Wampanoag tribal nations are part of her family tree. Ross Meeks communes with the Native American community and incorporates love of her ancestry and anthropology into the artwork she creates. Join RISCA staff and Cynthia “Listens to the Wind” Ross Meeks as she discusses her creative process and art making philosophy, alongside her current exhibition at the Atrium Gallery.
Gallery Event/Exhibit Details
What: In Flight, Solo Exhibition featuring Cynthia “Listens to the Wind” Ross Meeks
When: Meet the Artist, Thursday, May 11, Noon to 1 p.m.
On Display through June 7. Open to the public, weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Atrium Gallery at One Capitol Hill is on the first floor of the state’s Administration Building in Providence.
About the Artist
Ross Meeks earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master’s Degree in Art Education from the Rhode Island School of Design. She was an arts educator in the Providence Public Schools for twenty-two years, instructor in the Continuing Education Department at RISD for twenty years, and a costume designer for the Rites and Reason Theatre at Brown University for ten years.
“Coming from a family tree green with artists and artisans, while being the historian and the caretaker of my family’s artifacts, documents, and properties, afforded me a wealth of information and inspiration. I was destined to become the artist that I am. Knowledge of my ancestry and culture was the catalyst for the creation of this exhibition featuring Indigenous circles. The work emanates from a sacred circle shape, used in cultures around the world, as a form of spiritual practice. I draw my inspiration from a rich history of using shields in Native American culture. My art pieces featured here represent the shields that Native Americans warriors used in times of war. They believed that the shields, most often made of metal and stone, would protect them from any enemy. The bird is my spirit guide. Feathers are the materials I’ve chosen as representation of the spiritual protection needed for my people – they are the spirt of the Creator and a way to connect with the creative forces. These shields represent the sacred circle of life and the path from birth to death.”- Ross Meeks
“With great respect for what the Creator has guided me to do in my body of work, I select the natural beauty of objects from shells, bones, feathers and or stones that reflect the pure artistry of the Creator. I combine them in a way that they enhance each other. The feathers originate from well cared for and protected flocks throughout the world. All other materials are by-products or shed materials found in nature.” – Ross Meeks
“We are all under the same sky” – Cynthia Listens to the Wind Ross Meeks