AUNTIE: Oh. My. Goodness Sewakwékon. How to begin to introduce the epic Kanyen’kehà:ka Mohawk artist. Shelley Niro - who I am proud to say is from my home community of Six Nations of the Grand River. Wa’tkwanonhweráton - Greetings, Love and Respect from me to all of you. This Is Yethi Nistenha ne Tekarontakénare -- The Aunties Dandelion podcast and I’m Kahstoserakwathe. Shelley Niro is a painter, beader, photographer, filmmaker, wood block print maker and so much more - who has been beautifully and relentlessly reinventing her artistic expressions over the past four decades. Through this dynamic work, Shelley maintains core themes of the strength of Rotinonhsyón:ni women and matriarchy, freedom, sovereignty, history, family, and the healing inherent in our relationships. Tahnon é:so tsi yakostérihst – AND she is VERY funny -in her work and in person. Right now, Shelley is in the midst of her first retrospective exhibit – titled the 500-Year-Itch - which features more than 70 art pieces and films. The exhibit is traveling to major museums across the U.S. and Canada until February of 2025 – so go check that out! Shelley discusses how the process of going through her lifetime of massive works – both in quantity and in size - for this show has led to both surprise and validation. SHELLEY: When you are doing the work I didn’t think like ‘wow, what an egomaniac you are!’ you know – this work is so large. I also make it big because I want to make it fun for the viewer to be standing in front of – sort of participating in the work in that scale. You know if it was this size – PAULETTE: Mona Lisa size. SHELLEY: Yeah, it would not be as much fun. I try to have the viewer engage. AUNTIE: Throughout this visit – listen for the ways Shelley’s humour and very personal expression adds to the profound impact of her work. Nyá:wenkò:wa to the Indigenous Screen Office of Canada for the funding to create another season of our podcast. And please like this episode, give us some feedback, and share it with others. We are thrilled you are here - to listen to your Aunties.