Daniel Ramirez - Spring 2010
"My work is about the role each of us plays in our culture. My graduate work was about the role of Native American women and as time has gone on I learn more each passing year"-- Daniel Ramirez, MFA, Entrepreneur, Storyteller
Videos of CMU lectures
To view several videos of his lectures at CMU, visit http://cmich.edu/itunesu. Log in as a CMU Guest if you do not have a CMU ID. Under the Central Michigan University library within the iTunes Store, scroll down to the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences button. The lectures are saved under the "Dennison Professorship" tab.
- January 13, 2010 - partial lecture
- January 27, 2010 - part 1 (no audio)
- January 27, 2010 - part 2
- January 27, 2010 - part 3
- January 27, 2010 - part 4
- February 3, 2010 - part 1
- February 3, 2010 - part 2
- February 3, 2010 - part 3
- February 3, 2010 - part 4
Biography
Daniel Borja Ramirez is born on June 1, 1953 and is a certified descendant of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan. His mother was born in 1917 and was full blood Saginaw Swan Creek Black River Chippewa. For many years, Mr. Ramirez has dedicated himself to becoming the best painter of contemporary woodland images and his dedication has been in memory of his mother. With her as an inspiration, Mr. Ramirez has succeeded to receive his bachelor degree and a Masters in Fine Arts, both from the University of Michigan, and has built a successful art business. Mr. Ramirez has won several awards across America in prestigious art competitions. He has been well recognized for his work in watercolors and acrylics and for his drawings in charcoal and pastels.
The National Museum of American Indians in Washington DC featured his work in May and June 2006 where Daniel presents his most current work on the theme "Caring for Our Elders" and he also explains his artistic interpretations about the concept of Matriarchy in Native American Community.
Daniel Ramirez work has been displayed in several museums as part of their permanent collection and his work is regularly purchased by more than 70 art stores, museum giftshops and galleries from New York City to Los Angeles. His collector base is well developed and they have shown a constant interest in his new work.
Daniel's company Native Image has been in existence for over fifteen years. He continues to create Woodland Arts for several Native American tribes throughout the Midwest as well as other parts of the country. He has been presenting his work in Native American Art Shows, Nationwide Conferences, Academic Programs and events, several Tradeshows and many Art Fairs throughout the Country for more than 10 years. His business has been a leader in contemporary art innovation, thus demonstrating the range of new Indian directions in art. Mr. Ramirez's innovations include interpreting Woodland Arts using digital imagery, and designing and incorporating these images in several other new media. In 1999, Daniel received the prestigious Dupont Antron Award for his work in carpet design. With the assistance of his partner and business coordinator, Jerome Dupont, Mr. Ramirez continues to consult and support tribal entities with art matters concerning museum and casino designs and renovation.
Daniel Ramirez is a current member of the Midland Artist Guild (MAG), the Arts and Crafts Association of America (ACAA), the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the National Indian Education Association (NIEA).
Works
Native artist Daniel B. Ramirez's painting, "The Women's Council," honors Anishinaabe women of the Great Lakes. The work that followed over the next fourteen years has won national and international acclaim including a showing at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC in 2006. A newer piece, "The Women of the Great Lakes," depicts the connection between traditional dancers and their elderly counterparts. Through his drawings and paintings, important elements of his culture enrich people's knowledge of his tribal beliefs.
For more information about Daniel Ramirez and his works, visit http://sites.google.com/site/danielramirezart/Home/original-artwork.
Artwork Exhibition at CMU
During his term as the Denison Visiting Professor of Native American Studies, artist Daniel Ramirez created a new work entitled "The Women of Many Nations." It depicts pride and honor among Native American women across America. This process incorporated cultural aspects of Anishinaabe culture and philosophy, along with the process a modern Native American artist uses to create his work.
The painting is displayed below (top painting) during a reception hosted by the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences at the end of Daniel's term.
In addition, a collection of Daniel's artwork was on display in the Baber Room of Central Michigan University's Charles V. Park Library from January 13 through February 28, 2010.
