https://www.savannatoddart.com/monster-makings-1 daily 1.0 2026-06-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/1741560242426-H5Z7DCOE2Z3PUES6VD2I/BEST+COLOURS.JPG Monster Makings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/1741561758358-FK1VL7XIFKJK6HKR6245/jellyfishmonster-1.jpg Monster Makings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/1741561655333-QTK2W8LBGQ63H41DXZ82/insectextile-outside.jpg Monster Makings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/1741565889139-6YUMFBAMBFAO5VE5VPVF/IMG_0437.JPG Monster Makings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/1780865729047-M97O65OOWW52XD1IAHJQ/image-asset.jpg Monster Makings - Trickster Spirits ( Photo taken at Gibsons Art Gallery, exhibition titled 'Kin-between: Monsters/ beasts/ relations' This work represents two figures in cultural storytelling; the coyote trickster and the fox trickster. Coyote is a popular story character amongst many Indigenous communities in North America.The fox trickster originated in Chinese folklore and has since made its way throughout East Asia. The depiction of these figures are based on representations of my own cultural background as well as my cultural experiences abroad. Coyote is depicted here in an outfit inspired by historical photos of Métis women. Fox is represented in kimono, inspired by historical Japanese paintings of foxes as supernatural beings. The representations of culturally significant clothing from the past, that continues into the present is a nod to the persistence of these stories throughout time. Growing up I heard stories of ‘Coyote the trickster’ in my community. In Indigenous cultures like my own, Wîsahkêcâhk (Cree) coyote teaches lessons to humans. Through stories of coyote, I have come to understand this dynamic character as a magician, a fool, a shapeshifter and a teacher. The fox trickster character is depicted in this artwork in accordance with my experience and research while in Japan. Yōkai ( 妖怪 ) is perhaps best translated to English as a term encompassing monsters, ghosts, demons and other strange phenomena. Amongst Japan’s rich yōkai legends, is the kitsune ( 狐 ) or fox. Like the figure of the coyote in the west, foxes are considered shapeshifting tricksters in the East. In the cultural significance of monsters, coyote and fox can be seen as radically refusing to fit into colonial binaries. These characters’ ability to shapeshift suggests that all beings are connected to each other, rather than separated into a hierarchy. As with any good supernatural tale, the cultural stories of coyote and fox invite us to critically think about our own actions and the world around us. They teach about balance and harmony, chaos and order, as they take part in both humorous and serious matters. Coyote and fox span across time and place. The two meet here in this artwork in passing, before they each move onto their next story. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/4386bac3-6639-411b-b175-527fbf19a2e7/TMST-2023-14-LITUP.jpg Monster Makings https://www.savannatoddart.com/work-avenue daily 0.75 2025-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/1523336197774-N4N7PROS2EO7SC3GIYVC/KIC+Document+0001+%283%29-page-003.jpg Past Work - Who Are You? Acrylic paint, paint pen, xerox print, on illustration board, 16”x20”, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/1523337138175-5IJQFTKY47MW9U0J8S4S/comic_sav_print.jpg Past Work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/1519962241567-RLYWDFEFJ4QNOK3XA0I4/todd_s_003004.jpg Past Work - part 1 Four part graphite drawings for a recent book project. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/1519957162463-I1I0UN45ADCPHZXVH7KI/who-is-she-tia006.jpg Past Work - Tia Taurere-Clearsky Tia Taurere-Clearsky is a social justice media artist as well as a proud mother of six. Tia is a business owner, Whaea Productions that specializes in Indigenous Media Initiatives. She is Native to Aotearoa, New Zealand and lives on the Coast Salish Territory of Turtle Island, North America. Check out her work at www.whaeaproducitons.com "I follow my heart, my instincts, the voices of my ancestors and I feel blessed. I am rich with family. I love my work because I meet and connect global indigenous communities. Building bridges and supporting each other in our struggles and triumphs" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/1611888792739-RVP1V1WYRRLC1SPIF6SQ/129496978_203628897989021_3906756358721555195_n.jpg Past Work https://www.savannatoddart.com/about daily 0.75 2025-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a1891b180bd5e0fc6d74462/bd66f937-081e-4214-bf85-86510d72d872/glitch-image-1706727097.png About