Friend of a Friend is pleased to present Second Skin First Body, an exhibition of works by Denver artists Chelsea Kaiah and Ry La. 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.

Kaiah and La use multifaceted ways of creation by flexing between the labor of making a living and the role of an artist. 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.”

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.

Ry La uses industrial materials and an amalgamation of imagery to delve into their own struggles with identity. As a self-taught tattoo artist, La is drawn to the grit and ugliness of disorderly processes and the beauty that evolves from it. For Second Skin First Body they are creating a framework made from galvanized pipe and fixtures with chained rope suspending a tattooed surface. This sculpture exposes a complex multiplicity of forces that perhaps does not want to be untangled but instead desires to transform and exude and exude comfortability in one’s own skin. This drive for understanding via sculpture and drawing grasps for a sense of visual and conceptual balance in a world where there may be none.

Curated by Derrick Velazsquez and Lauren Hartog