Book Launch: Native Genes

Ryle Yazzie is a Dine artist, a veteran, and currently a graduate student at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Native Genes, Summer 2025 catalogs a pop-up art installation of used jeans sourced from the Navajo Reservation and from local flea markets in Window Rock, Shiprock, Gallup and Yah-Ta-hey areas. As part of the work, Yazzie took a series of self-portraits of himself wearing the jeans—sometimes too big and sometimes just right—and documents the stories of hardship and determination told through the fabrics wearing and natural patina. Putting the used jeans in conversation with himself and in the context of a high-art photo catalog, the book asks the viewer to consider our obsession with authenticity, along with the age-old question; what makes something the real deal, or just a knockoff. This catalog and the installation was inspired by James Luna’s performance, Take a picture with a Real Indian.

Native Genes by Ryle Yazzie. Authentically American* before America.

The book launch is in conjunction with Yazzie’s MFA thesis at the Institute for American Indian Arts and will feature a gallery show exhibiting artworks derived from the book. Native Genes & limited edition Riso prints on display and for sale. $35.00 per book.

Free tamales and refreshments will be provided.