Jeffrey Gibson on Dreams, Spirituality, and His Multifaceted Practice

In an interview, Jeffrey Gibson discusses his openness to dreams as a guiding force, his belief in communing with spirits, and the role of spirituality in his art. He describes his practice as spanning fabric, sculpture, video, and commissions from other artists, emphasizing that his designs can become painted, beaded, or digital versions. Gibson highlights his 2024 Venice Biennale US Pavilion exhibition 'the space in which to place me,' where he was the first Indigenous artist (Choctaw and Cherokee) to represent America. The show included essays, a symposium on Indigenous craft, and performances. When it moved to The Broad in Los Angeles in 2025, he rearranged it for a local audience. He also references his exhibition 'POWER FULL BECAUSE WE’RE DIFFERENT' at MASS MoCA, designed to evoke a nightclub atmosphere. Gibson incorporates other artists' work, such as John Little Sun Murie's moccasins for Charles Cary Rumsey's statue 'The Dying Indian,' transforming its meaning.