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

Media Advisory  

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

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

WHEN:          Friday, May 5 1 p.m. start time  

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

The National Portrait Gallery will present “Portrait of an Indigenous Womxn [Removed]” (2023), the first of two live performances 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. Friday, May 5, marking Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. 

  To begin the performance, the artist will construct and adorn a sculpture featuring a found poster of a missing or murdered Indigenous woman typically created by the individual’s family members or community at the time of disappearance. Accompanied by her brother who will participate as a singer with 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. Tsouhlarakis will then position the sculpture in dialogue with a specific 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 May 5 performance will pay tribute to Kaysera Stops Pretty Places and Aubrey Dameron. Tsouhlarakis’ second performance will pay tribute to Ella Mae Begay and Sumi Juan and will take place Sunday, Nov. 5. 

The live performances will complement Tsouhlarakis’ work on view in the “Kinship” exhibition galleries alongside that of fellow 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. 

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