ḡelhḡenáiq̓ : abalone
ḡelhḡenáiq̓ : abalone, ‘émlha : dance in Haislakala
native disco dance party inspired collection
this collection is imagining all the aunties, uncles and cousins dancing around at a disco wearing all their favourite sparkly jewelry. happy and free and celebrating life. feeling boujie and fancy and luxurious, dripped out in abalone and sparkling beads.
these pieces were made while immersing myself in the joy of creation, imagination, listening to music, taking lots of breaks, eating delicious snacks, smudging, and smelling like a deadly auntie in my favourite scents.
the materials i used celebrate west coast indigenous luxury, using beautiful high quality abalone, shell beads.. as well as labradorite, hematite, amethyst, sterling silver, swarovski bicone crystals, and many other precious gems.
i want these beadworks to carry positive, radiant, rebellious, self loving energy with them.
my native disco youtube playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT9aKM0TGB9Y&si=yjagiLqmEhMNG_SE
my native disco playlist on Qobuz:
https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/66099833
“..the community of movement, and the shared euphoria of rhythm created a cocoon of temporary freedom…Looking back, disco emerged from the margins, from people with no choice but to fight for joy. ”
- taken from the international disco day website https://www.internationaldiscoday.org/social-impact/roots-of-resistance/
i am inspired by Disco not only as music on it’s own, but also as a social movement, a rebellious counter culture, a movement that created safe spaces for marginalized people.
i see parallels between disco and pow wow music and culture.. and how sometimes the beats even line up. during a time of social turmoil and strife, turning to art, music and culture can help us feel energized and strong again. we are not alone and we have always found ways to fight the power and keep ourselves safe, happy and rooted in our spirits.
“Black, Latinx, and queer communities, routinely excluded from both political power and mainstream media, carved out new spaces for expression through music and dance. Disco became their language. It wasn’t just escapism. It was activism through sound.
..These dancefloors were more than places of recreation – they were resistance in motion. In a country grappling with racism, homophobia, and patriarchal control, a room full of people dancing freely to soul-infused rhythms was revolutionary. Every beat, every spin, every mirrorball reflection became a refusal to be silenced.
..For many, the dancefloor was the only place where they felt safe enough to be fully themselves. The anonymity of darkness, the community of movement, and the shared euphoria of rhythm created a cocoon of temporary freedom. It was in these spaces that new identities were forged – unapologetically queer, proudly Black, defiantly joyful.
…Looking back, disco didn’t just soundtrack an era – it documented resistance in real time. The genre emerged from the margins, from people with no choice but to fight for joy. ”
quotes from international disco day website https://www.internationaldiscoday.org/social-impact/roots-of-resistance/
