On Thursday, July 7, a new art exhibit will be opening at the Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix called When Rez Dogs Howl, featuring artwork by O’odham artist Thomas “Breeze” Marcus. The exhibit is a body of work exploring the duality of the past teachings of O’odham. It also gives a contemporary perspective on what Rez life is like today, the transformation the O’odham have made, what they have held onto, and how they have adapted through pain and triumph of everyday life.
“When you hear dogs howl on the (Salt River) Rez, it’s usually when sirens are going by. Sometimes, perhaps it’s a pack of coyotes off in the distance, or maybe dogs are just howling at the moon,” said Marcus in an Instagram post. “[In] the old days, [the] Huhugam had dogs who alerted, hunted, made companions and so much more. Dogs were even given proper burials and honored at times. Where we’ve come from ancestrally, we always carry stories about our surrounding environment and how the animals indigenous to the area show us and teach us things.”
Marcus is known for exploring issues relating to contemporary Native America in his work, which includes large-scale painted murals and public art as well as studio painting.
The opening reception is on July 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.; it is free and open to the public. The exhibit will continue through May 14, 2023, at Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, 4619 E. Washington St. in Phoenix. For more information, call (602) 495-0901.
