FSL INTERIOR SPACE: INDIGENOUS ART FLOORING

A critical component of creating an Indigenized space on campus that serves our community is weaving Indigenous artwork throughout the space This is an uncompromising vision that has been held and driven by our staff, students, Steering Committee, supporters, and accomplices, establishing the lab as a space that resists erasure of Indigenous presence on this campus, and creates a space for generational futures.

Local Karuk carver and artist Alme Allen designed a custom floor for the FSL, and crafted an artist statement about his process and design choices “After several digital renderings of floor design possibilities I began to settle in on one thing that was consistent, a dark background with a pale yellow basketry pattern It was at this time that I realized that my work was beginning to take on a reminiscent look and style of the Wiyot weaver, Elizabeth Hickox. She was one of the most notable weavers of her day and her baskets can literally be found all over the world, so I find it only fitting that my design be dedicated to her life’s work

Entering the Food Sovereignty lab from the main north doors, a sweeping obsidian design pattern begins on the east wall and moves along a gentle arch to the west side of the room As the design moves across the space it grows in size and fills the center of the room and is beneath all of the classroom desks What this means - as students we come to learn and grow, their knowledge expands until they are ready to go out into the world. Also there are ten obsidian blades in the work to represent our World Renewal practices and our commitment to the environment.”