New Art on Market Street Poster Series, We Are Still Here, Celebrates the Cultural Contributions and Resilience of Bay Area and South Coast Range Native Communities
Ten new posters by Bay Area photographer Kirti Bassendine are now on view along Market Street and are accompanied by powerful personal statements from Native community members calling attention to important causes.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 21, 2024 – The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is thrilled to announce the installation of a new poster portrait series titled "We Are Still Here" which celebrates the cultural contributions and resilience of Bay Area and South Coast Range Native communities.
This series by Bay Area photographer Kirti Bassendine will be displayed along Market Street between 7th and Steuart streets at 15 SFMTA transit shelters through September 2024.
We Are Still Here features 10 striking portraits that are accompanied by powerful personal statements from Native community members, shedding light on their cultural connections to the land, rematriation efforts (restoring the relationship between Indigenous people and their ancestral land), and the challenges of ecological and climate breakdown.
"The San Francisco Arts Commission is honored to continue this series that helps highlight the numerous and invaluable contributions of Native communities to the cultural landscape of the San Francisco Bay Area," said Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs. "These vibrant and striking portraits beautifully share the stories of Bay Area Native people, honoring their rich heritage and fostering greater awareness and understanding among all San Franciscans, inviting residents and visitors alike to engage with the rich cultural heritage and contemporary resilience of the Bay Area's Native communities.”
Each poster includes the name of the individual featured, tribal group name, QR code linked to the tribal website, and weaves together portraits with personal statements, emphasizing their enduring presence and connection to the land.
Featured poster subjects include:
- Monica Arellano (Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area)
- Gregg Castro (Association of Ramaytush Ohlone)
- Quirina Luna Geary (Tamien Nation)
- Corrina Gould (The Confederated Villages of Lisjan)
- Valentin Lopez (Amah Mutsun Tribal Band)
- Tom Little Bear Nason (Esselen Tribe of Monterey County)
- Mary Rodgers (Salinan Tribe of San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties)
- Kanyon Sayers-Roods (Indian Canyon Nation)
- Linda Yemane (Rumsen Ohlone Tribal Community)
- Gregg Castro (Salinan T'rowt'raahl Tribal Community)
We Are Still Here aims to reach a broad audience, including those who might not typically visit galleries and museums, by placing these compelling narratives in high-traffic and visible areas of San Francisco.
"This initiative is not only about education and raising awareness but also about uniting the indigenous communities of San Francisco and South Coast Range," shared artist Kirti Bassendine in an artist statement. "We aim to provide a collective voice and a powerful message: 'We Are Still Here.'"
For more information on the poster series and the tribal groups featured, please visit the respective tribal websites by scanning the QR code found on each poster.
The 2024 Art on Market Street Poster Series theme is devoted to the San Francisco Bay Area Native Peoples. In addition to Kirti Bassendine, other artists that have been selected to be featured in the 2024 series include Jesse Hernandez and Calixto Robles.
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About the Artist
Kirti Bassendine is a renowned artist whose work focuses on highlighting the cultural richness and resilience of indigenous communities. With a deep commitment to social justice and environmental sustainability, Kirti's art emphasizes the enduring connections between native peoples and their ancestral lands. Kirti's compelling and evocative work continues to inspire and educate audiences, fostering greater understanding and appreciation for the stories and contributions of indigenous communities.
About the Art on Market Street Poster Series
The San Francisco Arts Commission has commissioned new artworks from artists on an annual basis since 1992 in partnership with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and Clear Channel. Now in its 31st year, the program has partnered with over 120 artists since its inception, commissioning over $1.2 million worth of art, showcasing a wide breadth of artistic styles, themes and topics centered around San Francisco. Up to four artists are commissioned annually by the Arts Commission to create a series of at least six unique works of art that responds to a theme specific to San Francisco. To learn more, visit sfartscommission.org/artonmarketstreet
About the San Francisco Arts Commission
The San Francisco Arts Commission is the City agency that champions the arts as essential to daily life by investing in a vibrant arts community, enlivening the urban environment and shaping innovative cultural policy. Our programs include: Civic Art Collection, Civic Design Review, Community Investments, Public Art, SFAC Galleries, and Art Vendor Licensing. To learn more, visit sfartscommission.org.