Brittany Postoak

Artist Biography

Brittany Postoak is a Mvskoke citizen and has a long history of family residing in Indian Territory. She works with traditional art such as beadwork and leather crafting as well as watercolor and acrylic paint. She expresses her appreciation for land, water, and ancient symbols to make deeply personal creations.

Artist Statement

This piece honors Taylor Postoak, Nokose Yahola, Second Chief of the Mvskokes. Forced from Alabama on the Trail of Tears, he arrived in Oklahoma losing his wife on the arduous journey. He fought in the Civil War alongside Opethleyahola for the Union, ensured his children and those of the community received an education and helped to map and survey the boundaries of the Mvskoke Nation borders. This artwork includes Mvskoke text from his 1882 retelling of the Corn Fable, Vce Nak Onvkuce, and symbols from mound pottery representing our heritage. Beadwork in fire colors outline Taylor to signify our future and the enduring spirit passed down through generations. The original photograph, taken by J.F. Standiford in the late 1800s Muskogee, Indian Territory, connects history with modern art.