ABOUT Brittany Kiertzner

Brittany Kiertzner is a mixed media and textile fine artist from Southern California. Kiertzner is an enrolled member of the St Regis Mohawk Tribe, Iroquois Nation and holds undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Fine Art from California State University, Fullerton. Kiertzner explores critical materials that reframe her personal history into a contemporary context.  She investigates themes of regeneration, cosmology and ecology. Kiertzner has shown her mixed media and textile-based work extensively in solo and juried exhibitions in California since 2007. She is a member of the California Fibers Group and Textile Arts LA. She resides and manages her studio in Claremont, California.

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An Exploration of Heritage, Form, and Cosmic Connection in Contemporary Art

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Brittany Kiertzner’s work embodies a dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation, deeply rooted in a convergence of diverse artistic influences and cultural heritage. Through a interplay of woven and stitched threads, her work is influenced by traditional Mohawk Iroquois splint basket making and embroidery.. Drawing inspiration from Native American art history, sculptors such as Lynda Benglis, transformative textile techniques of those like Magdalena Abakanowicz, and painters who look to create realms that are idealistic and spiritual, Kiertzner bridges ancient artistic traditions with contemporary practice. Her works emerge as a  transcendentalist  reimagining of ancestral symbols, interwoven with the use of modern materials and conceptual frameworks.

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At the heart of Kiertzner’s art lies the intricate patterns, textures, and cosmological symbolism of her heritage. Her work often reinterprets materials associated with traditional crafts, transforming them into forms reminiscent of Benglis's bold, tactile compositions. The contorted shapes in her sculptures reflect not only their materiality but also the physical effort of their creation. By piercing, pulling, and warping fiber over wire frames, Kiertzner channels her bodily force into her work, creating dynamic pieces that embody both strength and fragility. Her sculptures, monolithic and totemic in appearance, are typically long, and pointed, constructed from wire mesh, upholstery fabric, plaster, and linear woven fiber. This combination transforms traditional weaving techniques into an intuitive, dimensional form of embroidery. The tactile surfaces evoke a visceral response, blurring the line between organic forms and abstract shapes. These creations resonate with the transformative potential of fiber explored by Abakanowicz in her renowned Abakans. Like Abakanowicz, Kiertzner invites viewers into a world of texture, emotion, and memory through her innovative approach to fiber arts.

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Spiritual and Cosmic Themes

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Kiertzner’s works extend beyond the physical to explore metaphysical and philosophical themes. Her sculptures and paintings often reflect a meditative exploration of cosmic order and spiritual interconnectedness. A recurring motif in her art is the wampum circle, enriched by tangent lines forming concentric patterns. These compositions reference the Iroquois tradition of wampum as a symbolic language while embodying a universal meditation on celestial order.

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The layering of colored circles in her work represents the trajectories of stars and celestial bodies, where each circle signifies an individual universe. This symbolism evokes both strict geometric precision and the boundless depth of the cosmos. Through subtle transitions in color and form, Kiertzner conveys an emotional and spiritual resonance, creating art that speaks to viewers on an intimate, almost transcendental level. The interplay of shape and color suggests the movement of cosmic energy, crafting a narrative of interconnectedness that mirrors the interdependence of life and the universe.

 

Ecological and Societal Commentary

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Kiertzner’s art also engages with pressing contemporary issues, including ecology, climate change, water contamination, land-use policies, violence against women and tribal rights. These themes emerge subtly through her choice of materials and almost figurative forms, which reflect a deep awareness of the future of the "indian problem" alongside environmental and cultural sustainability. By weaving these concerns into her art, Kiertzner not only honors her heritage but also addresses broader socio-economic conditions that impact Indigenous communities and the planet as a whole.

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