Second Skin First Body 

The title of the exhibition refers to their first-generation identities as foundations for an exploratory journey into who they choose to be – adding and growing a second skin onto the historical, cultural, and genetic circumstances they have been born into. 

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Working as a full-time bead worker, Kaiah’s practice is part of an ongoing exploration of storytelling. The imagery of a woman embodying a coyote for example investigates a character of chaos and disruption. As she states, “The Ute’s knowledge about our creation starts with a coyote: In the beginning, there was Sinawav (creator) and coyote. Creator left one day leaving an important job to coyote- a bag of sticks was to be spread equally over the land. Coyote is naturally curious and mischievous and disobeys the creator. Out came many sticks, all different kinds, fighting and having wars because they were so close together, creators’ intention was to spread them out. When creator returned there were only a few sticks in the bag, they were noble and stayed. They became “the people” Nuuchuu later on the Utes. They were given kava-avich the Rocky Mountains, a favored land full of resources.”

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It is very relate-able to be curious and mischievous like coyote. These traits, often perceived as negative ones, have become a character trope and carry over to other cultures’ depictions of the animal. But in Ute mythology, coyote’s curiosity and mischief has more positive than negative connotations. Coyote’s nature enabled him to play a vital role in our creation. Without these traits, a different reality might exist where people do not make mistakes and where coyotes roam being obedient. Coyote’s role in the creation story has instead created a world where knowledge is built as a narrative rather than being bestowed or imposed upon us.