Photographer: Mikayla Patton
Derayna DeClay, a White Mountain Apache, was born on the Fort Apache Reservation in Arizona at the Whiteriver Indian Hospital. Raised in a traditional family, she is part of the Eagle Clan. Her artwork takes a critical viewofwhat she sees on her reservation: the need for female empowerment, environmental issues, Apache traditional culture, alcoholism, abuse of women, and suicide. She currently attends the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and wants to revitalize her community through education, training, and art.
She is a “Jack-of-All-Trades” who doesn’t limit herself to one medium. Acrylic, markers, pencil, or chalk can all be found in her work. Her technique is always changing. Her greatest influences are her environment and the people closest to her, including her brother. Artistically, she has been influenced by graffiti and illustration, as well as expressionism and color. She believes creative expression can transform painful experiences into strength. She has found healing, growth and personal transformation through creating art.