Born: 1970, Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada
Nationality: Dane-zaa
Style: Sculpture, Installation
Influences: Dane-zaa culture, consumerism, sports
"I'm interested in the way objects can tell stories about culture and identity."
Notable Artwork
Prototype for New Understanding #1 (1998)
About Brian Jungen
Born: 1970, Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada Nationality: Dane-zaa Style: Sculpture, Installation Influences: Dane-zaa culture, consumerism, sports Major Exhibitions: “Prototype for New Understanding” (1998-2005), “Shapeshifter” (2006), “Cetology” (2002) Quote: “I’m interested in the way objects can tell stories about culture and identity.” Website: https://www.catrionajeffries.com/artists/brian-jungen/
Notable Artwork: Prototype for New Understanding #1 (1998)
This is part of a series of sculptures in which Jungen disassembled Nike Air Jordan sneakers and reassembled them into forms resembling Northwest Coast Indigenous masks.
Significance
Jungen’s work often uses mass-produced consumer goods to explore themes of cultural appropriation, globalization, and Indigenous identity. The Prototype series cleverly juxtaposes the iconic imagery of a global brand with traditional Indigenous forms, prompting reflection on cultural exchange and commodification.