RWS ★
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  • August10th

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    Featured Print

    Posted in: Articles, Features, Inspiration

    Featured Print: Nadya Kwandibens & Melissa McCauley

    A recent portrait of myself and RWS friend Melissa McCauley. When I see this photo, I think:

    I’m tired of seeing images of women (non-Native and Native) donning the stereotypical headdresses, objectified and scantily clad, a fluorescent feathered facade.

    We wear business suits and carry textbooks, guitars, our Nations flags, and beautiful babies.  We are in business, we are leaders, doctors, professors, mothers, students, musicians, artists, dancers, activists and so much more.  Women are the heart of our Nations.

    The main goal, and the foundation upon which all portrait/art created by Red Works Studio (RWS), is to empower and inspire others to see the beauty, reality and truth of Indigenous people, and our Nations… today.

    Update:

    This image is now available for purchase @ Red Works Studio Prints.

  • April9th

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    Video ★ CBC TV: Urban Aboriginals

    Posted in: Features, Interviews, News + Updates

    Last week, Nadya met with some CBC TV crew for an interview about what it means to be Native and living in a city, such as Toronto. The series of vignettes features urban Aboriginals from across Canada, and originally aired on Tuesday’s episode of Connect with Mark Kelley, April 6th.

    CBC TV - Urban Aboriginals - Nadya Kwandibens
    CBC TV - Urban Aboriginals - Nadya KwandibensCBC TV - Urban Aboriginals - Nadya Kwandibens

    Watch: Aboriginal Life in the City
    Runtime: 3:06 mins

    The features, including some coverage on The National, were launched with the Urban Aboriginal Peoples Study; “researchers interviewed 2,614 status and non-status First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in 11 cities across Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Ont., Montreal, Toronto, Halifax and Ottawa (Inuit only), between March and October 2009. The study was launched to examine “the attitudes of native Canadians who call the city home.” For more information about the Urban Aboriginal Peoples Study, visit: www.cbc.ca

  • November27th

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    National Exposure via THIS Magazine

    Posted in: Articles, Features

    Nadya is featured in This Magazine, which hit bookstores across Canada last week, with a profile written by Lisa Charleyboy, titled: Turning the lens on Aboriginal urbanites with “Concrete Indians.” Here is an excerpt from online edition:

    “Nadya Kwandibens stepped off a Greyhound bus from Phoenix, Arizona, in Kenora, Ontario, in November 2006 with only her camera and her computer. During the two-and-a-half-day trip, her suitcase, containing all her belongings, had been misplaced at a transfer point in Omaha. She lost her clothing, her native powwow jingle dress, and sacred ceremonial items, like her smudge bowl and an eagle feather her aunt gave her.

    ‘I was broke, tired, hungry, happy, angry, frustrated, and nearly crying,’ she says. ‘I was standing there by the bus…’”

    Find out which Concrete Indians are featured! ► Read More

  • September29th

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    The Heron by Louie Gong ★ 8th Gen

    Posted in: Features, Inspiration, News + Updates

    So my buddy Louie sent a pair of 8th Gen kicks a few months back …featuring his most stellar, vibrant, original artwork. I was so stoked when they arrived, and immediately tried ‘em on. These (along with all his other designs) are one-of-a-kind, custom made shoes… and the first pair w/ the Heron design. I was waiting for the right time to photograph, the right mood. Here are the results of the recent shoot. Big thanks goes out to Waawaate Fobister for helping with the poses and giving direction!

    8th Gen Heron Shoes - Nadya Kwandibens, Toronto ON8th Gen Heron Shoes - Nadya Kwandibens, Toronto ON8th Gen Heron Shoes - Nadya Kwandibens, Toronto ON8th Gen Heron Shoes - Nadya Kwandibens, Toronto ON
    (click images to view larger)

    Since launching 8th Gen thousands have connected with Louie’s artwork.  8th Gen has been featured in Indian Country Today, on CBC Radio, and countless newpaper articles, blogs, and social-networking sites.  If you haven’t heard of 8th Gen yet, here’s a bit of background info re: his approach:

    Louie Gong

    Louie Gong

    When I started putting my art on shoes a few months ago, I had no idea it would lead to a facebook page with over a 1000 fans (now 2000!) in just a few weeks and my first small business. I just wanted to create something that represented me, a person who celebrates the dynamic realities of modern life while maintaining a strong cultural identity. It turns out that many people are also drawn to my shoe art because of what it represents. Others simply appreciate Coast Salish art or the fact that the merger of this art form and pop culture is somewhat new and orignal. Either way, I feel honored that people are finding value in something I love to do. I promise to put some of that good energy back into everything I create.

    Visit 8th Gen ► Website • Facebook • MySpace • Twitter • YouTube

  • September5th

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    [mhr] studios | Showcase

    Posted in: Features

    Mark Rutledge approached me back in June about doing a feature of my work for a new series on his website that highlights Aboriginal photographers, illustrators, painters and designers. Red Works is honoured to be the first featured artist in this monthly showcase.

    Mark Rutledge - [mhr] studios[mhr] studio | Showcase | Nadya Kwandibens[mhr] studio | Showcase | Nadya Kwandibens[mhr] studio | Showcase | Nadya Kwandibens

    Chi-miigwech/ thank you very much, Mark for this opportunity! To read the feature visit: www.mhr-studios.com

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