ABOUT ME

Nya:wëh Sgëno’, I’m Ruth.

I'm an emerging multimedia artist based in Chicago. Born in Buffalo and raised on the Cattaraugus Reservation. Growing up with nature all around me and my culture intertwined with my upbringing, it inspires my art as well as my community work.  

Currently, I am in my third year of Undergrad at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. While being here, I have gained a better understanding of my practice. I have expanded my work to focus more on my culture and creating community. Through community building and various workshops, I have successfully fostered a small community of Native and Indigenous artists in the Chicagoland area.

When working with multi media, I explore these different relationships between materials while also thinking about how my community work fuels my creative work. I use different experiences and intertwine ideas of femininity, nature, and Indigeneity to show my work in a beautiful way. In a world saturated with visuals, it is authenticity that shines through, and that’s what sets my art apart.

Photography of Ruthanne with braided hair, tattoos on her shoulder, and a nose ring. Set against a red background with dark foliage at the top. She has a deer antler on her shoulder and appears to be in a dimly lit environment.

  • Artist and Community Organizer