Reinventing the gaze: Judith Lowry's artistic expressions contextualized

The State of California has over one hundred rancherias (Indian reservations), yet very few people know much about these diverse Native communities. Judith Lowry is a California Native woman who, through her art and activism, brings attention to the unique cultures and peoples that make up this region. She tells stories of the people and the land, thereby showing that Native California cultures are alive and Native traditions are rich.Through art, Lowry aims to inspire people to learn more about California Native peoples, their contemporary concerns, and the historical context of these concerns. The different styles, media, and content that Lowry chooses to incorporate in her artwork reflect the diverse art practices that are implemented by many Native artists today. Lowry presents images that shatter persistent stereotypes of California Indians and reveal that Native peoples and their art do not conform to one style or tradition they embrace many different cultures and artistic expressions. When her art is shown in local, national, and international exhibitions, Lowry's visual stories invite audiences to explore the world as seen through her eyes, and prompt people to perceive accurately California Indians. She challenges her audiences to replace their misperceptions with an awareness of current Indigenous cultural multiplicity. Along the way, Lowry, by definition, creates art that informs viewers about the beauty and diversity of Indian life. This is a significant achievement because historical events have deprived Native communities from exercising authority over the research, documentation, and representation of Native lives and cultures.It is a great accomplishment that Native artists have risen along side with other Native voices to share the history and reality of Native lives today, to correct centuries of misrepresentation that instilled in non-Natives the misunderstanding of who Native Americans are. Additionally, as a Native woman, Lowry's perspective provides critical discourse on Native art and Native history. Her female-focused agenda incites many profound emotional connections and powerful reactions to her art. By representing women who have endured painful experiences, she inspires women to persevere through difficult times and acknowledges their hardships.