Hattie Lee Mendoza

 Hattie Lee Mendoza is a multi-disciplinary artist who grew up in Fowler, Kansas, and now lives in Peoria, Illinois. She has an MFA from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and a BA in graphic design from Tabor College, Hillsboro, KS.

 She is influenced by her Great Grandmother and namesake’s Cherokee heritage and stories, desiring to revive and continue that legacy within her family after generational loss of cultural connection. She spent three years living in Thailand, as well as traveling to various countries, while working with a non-profit organization on their fine art and media team. The experience gave her opportunities to interact and learn from many people groups and tribes in Asia and the Middle East. Afterward, she returned to the States and was motivated to connect to her own ancestral heritages. Her maternal grandmother’s frugal values, stemming from a depression era childhood, are also reflected in Mendoza’s practice by including repurposed and recycled personal, family and community items, as well as thrifted and found objects.

Mendoza has been published in the #155 Midwest Issue of New American Paintings, Excellence in Fibers VII & VIII by Fiber Art Now, and Art Focus Winter Issue 2024. She has been in exhibitions in in thirteen states, with two 2024 solo exhibitions in Oklahoma at Oklahoma State University and Cameron University. She also had work in Expo Chicago 2024, with the Center for Native Futures gallery, coinciding with her work exhibited in their inaugural group exhibition in downtown Chicago. One of her mixed media collages is on permanent display in the American Studies department of the University of Notre Dame. Five licensed artwork images will be installed in the indoor waterpark at OKANA resort in Oklahoma City, OK as public art installations.

Generations of stories and values have been layered within material objects. Re-collected from family members, friends, and her community, Hattie Lee Mendoza honors the usefulness and nostalgia of materials while collaging them into new narratives. She reinvigorates materials that might have otherwise been forgotten and tossed in the landfill as generations pass. Recollecting her great-grandmother’s pride in their Cherokee Nation heritage, Hattie uses imagery and methods abstracted or quoted from Native American culture.

Generations Collide

Medium: gouache and watercolor

8"x10"

$400

This composition incorporates patterns from my grandma’s house and wardrobe (mid-century curtains, sweaters, tile, etc.) combined with ones representing my love of Southeast Asia and the corresponding color preferences in both of our lives.

I drew this shortly after moving back from Asia to live with my maternal Grandmother while attending grad school. There was a lot of adjustment for both of us in the process, with 64 years between us. In Grandma's words, life with me is "interesting." (...I will interpret that as 'colorful'!)

We learned, and continue to learn, from each other. I will always be grateful for the way our lives have intertwined.

Pickup at Red Earth Art Gallery, 100 N Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.
Interested in having this item shipped? We can arrange packing and shipping for an additional cost. Please call 405-427-5228 or email info@redearth.org before purchase.