Performance of “Portrait of an Indigenous Womxn [Removed]” by Anna Tsouhlarakis

WHAT:  Performance of “Portrait of an Indigenous Womxn [Removed]” by Anna Tsouhlarakis

WHO:  Anna Tsouhlarakis, artist and George C. Tsouhlarakis, singer  

WHEN:  Sunday, Nov. 5 |1:00 p.m. start time  

WHERE:  Kogod Courtyard, Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and G streets N.W.  

The National Portrait Gallery announces the second iteration of “Portrait of an Indigenous Womxn [Removed]” (2023), by artist Anna Tsouhlarakis. The performance will be presented as part of “Kinship,” an exhibition of work by eight contemporary artists who visualize the complex ways in which relationships endure and change. “Portrait of an Indigenous Womxn [Removed]” will begin in the museum’s Kogod Courtyard at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5. 

At the beginning of the performance, the artist will construct and adorn a sculpture featuring a found poster of a missing or murdered Indigenous woman; the individual’s family members or community typically make and distribute these posters at the time of disappearance. Accompanied by her brother, who will sing and play a hand drum, Tsouhlarakis will then carry the sculpture through the museum, intentionally passing portraits and galleries that reflect the history and representation—or lack thereof—of Native Americans. At the end, Tsouhlarakis will position the sculpture in dialogue with a carefully chosen portrait in the museum’s galleries, where it will remain on view until 6 p.m. A gallery educator will be stationed by each sculpture to answer visitor questions.

The Nov. 5 performance will pay tribute to Ella Mae Begay and Sumi Juan. The previous May performance honored to Kaysera Stops Pretty Places and Aubrey Dameron.

The live performance will complement Tsouhlarakis’s work in the “Kinship” galleries. Also featured are contemporary artists Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Ruth Leonela Buentello, Jess T. Dugan, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Jessica Todd Harper, Thomas Holton and Sedrick Huckaby. The exhibition remains on view through Jan. 7, 2024. 

On Saturday Nov. 4,  the day before the performance Tsouhlarakis will present a free artist talk about her work in the “Kinship” exhibition and her performance “Portrait of an Indigenous Womxn [Removed]” from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the museum’s Education Center, E151. Her practice, which encompasses sculpture, installation, video, and performance, redefines  expectations of Native American art. Discover the message and impact of her works firsthand. Free—Registration Encouraged.  

On Monday, Nov. 6, the day after the performance, the Portrait Gallery will host a related free public talk and panel. The public talk will feature emerging poet, editor and playwright Kinsale Drake, who will discuss her work with the changing womxn collective and NDN Girls Book Club from 4 to 5 p.m. A panel featuring activists and scholars titled “Art and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Crisis” will follow from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Participants will include Mary Kathryn Nagle, Grace Bulltail, Kathleen Ash-Milby and Ashley Minner. Tsouhlarakis will moderate the panel, which will be followed by an audience Q&A.

Media RSVP is required for film crews; RSVP to Gabbie Obusek at obusekge@si.edu.