above: "Ancestor from the Future" regalia co-created with Installation Artist Christy Chow and Allison Akootchook Warden, 2017.
Welcome. Uvaŋa atiġa Allison Akootchook Warden. I am an artist that explores many genres.
My Ancestors are from a place called Kaktovik, Alaska. I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska and now live in Anchorage, Alaska. I also consider New York City to be one of my homes as I lived there from 2002-2005. I also feel strongly about New Orleans, my heart shines bright when visiting there. Many homes, creating home-feeling as I travel in this world of 2017.
Welcome to my spot on the internet. The space where you learn more about me and why I create the work that I do. Here you can unwind a bit, rest your spirit. A place to decolonize yourself, nano-bit by nano-bit. I am the creator of this site, it's a way to share myself with you.
I rap as AKU-MATU. My collaborator and friend WD4D creates sonic landscapes sampling traditional music from my Iñupiaq culture. You can learn more about this collaboration by clicking on the work tab above. I can say that people are usually surprised when they hear me rap for the first time, as there is a distinct shift from my everyday voice and persona.
I write twitter poems as I nurture and love my 111,000 twitter followers. I love the challenge of 280 characters and the space of billions of people, connecting all at once. The Anchorage Museum published a mini-book of my twitter poems in mid May 2017. Here is a sample just for you, right now:
when your decolonized mind
sees the madness
the disease
take a moment to transform it
visualize the most healed version
hold that space
(21:11 12 June 2016 - 140 characters)
@AKU_MATU
I am also writing a novel. It is like a long-form puzzle to me. I'm still discovering it and hope to finish it by the year 2020. As a young being, writing was my strong point, math was a weaker element. I love to write, to create a motion through words flowing through from me to you. Now.
If I had to choose a favorite medium that I explore, I would choose installation art. Creating an immersive environment for possible personal transformation to unfold in, that is what I love. Using all the elements: sound, smell, visual art, sculpture, audience participation, temperature, video projection and more to effect change. I love embracing audiences in this way, equalizing everyone into a group experience that surprises even me. Even me.
Theatre brought me into the arts. I have co-written a play, and I have performed a couple of one-woman shows. I've acted in a feature film and a short. I bring my theatrical training into all that I do, especially my rap performances. I rap in character. I study people, gestures, listen for language everywhere I go. Listening for the interplay between those around me, so that I can bring it to my work. To you.
Recently I have considered myself to be a visual artist. It took me awhile to realize that I had been making visual art to support my installations and performances. I have always drawn these mask-people with pen and markers, and now I am more keen to share my drawings. I studied an
Iñupiaq traditional whaling suit and recreated it using modern materials. I have a strong desire to recreate more objects from my culture that haven't been made for some time. I love to work with my hands to manipulate materials. Sculpture.
Once a year or once every two years, I become a part of a constellation known as Yada Di. We are a band that explores all genres of music. I sing and rap in the band, yet want to pick up the guitar again so that we will have more flexibility in our configurations. It is led by three strong Arctic women: Yngvil vatn Guttu from Norway who is a master Jazz musician, Elena Lukina from Russia who is a brilliant violinist and pianist, and myself. We have three other members who rotate, depending on who is available. I love Yada Di. It means "what is this?" in Dena'ina Athabaskan and is used when you are asking a question about something that is hard to describe. We explore the mythological.
Are you still with me? I am still with you.
I love working with youth, because at one time, I was a youth. Like you. I became a rap artist to reach out to other Alaskan Native youth, so that they could see themselves on the stage, hear themselves in their headphones. Working with youth humbles me deeply, as they teach me so much about being a good human being, moving forward in a good way. My favorite part is when the youth I have worked with stop me and recognize me in a store and say hello. They are so amazing.
Most of my work is around climate change and the environment. I have also been part of protecting the environment, working and learning as part of teams. I was part of the inaugural Grist 50 in 2016 for approach of art and the environment. I met my fellow Grist 50 people I'm excited to be inspired by people who sacrifice so much to uplift, to heal.
Underlying all of these things is me, as an Iñupiaq woman. I am just one Iñupiaq, not representing all Iñupiaq people, as that would be impossible to do. I love belonging to a place. Being connected to a story that has been told and re-told and shared for over 10,000 years. Knowing who my Ancestors are, emulating my Elders who shaped my young psyche. Being Iñupiaq in all that I do, learning to speak my language, and helping to lead the Kisaġvigmiut Traditional Dancers. I was raised by my Iñupiaq mom, as my redhead Dad from Missouri divorced her when I was just two. It was a gift, as my Mom was intentional about making sure I ended up being Iñupiaq. Being a representative of my family, my Ancestors, my traditional territories.
Now you know more about me. You have a window into my world. There is much more to share, much more to see. I am working diligently to bring you content here that reflects my spirit, my Ancestors coming through my work, to you. Keep visiting and hit the refresh button when you come back. This is a place that shifts and expands, grows and makes motions to the sky. Thank you for visiting me here. Quyanaqpak.
letting go of all your former selves
like watching sparks rising up from a fire
there is no hold
in this fast moving river
you are eternal
(9:02 17 June 2016 - 140 characters)
My Ancestors are from a place called Kaktovik, Alaska. I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska and now live in Anchorage, Alaska. I also consider New York City to be one of my homes as I lived there from 2002-2005. I also feel strongly about New Orleans, my heart shines bright when visiting there. Many homes, creating home-feeling as I travel in this world of 2017.
Welcome to my spot on the internet. The space where you learn more about me and why I create the work that I do. Here you can unwind a bit, rest your spirit. A place to decolonize yourself, nano-bit by nano-bit. I am the creator of this site, it's a way to share myself with you.
I rap as AKU-MATU. My collaborator and friend WD4D creates sonic landscapes sampling traditional music from my Iñupiaq culture. You can learn more about this collaboration by clicking on the work tab above. I can say that people are usually surprised when they hear me rap for the first time, as there is a distinct shift from my everyday voice and persona.
I write twitter poems as I nurture and love my 111,000 twitter followers. I love the challenge of 280 characters and the space of billions of people, connecting all at once. The Anchorage Museum published a mini-book of my twitter poems in mid May 2017. Here is a sample just for you, right now:
when your decolonized mind
sees the madness
the disease
take a moment to transform it
visualize the most healed version
hold that space
(21:11 12 June 2016 - 140 characters)
@AKU_MATU
I am also writing a novel. It is like a long-form puzzle to me. I'm still discovering it and hope to finish it by the year 2020. As a young being, writing was my strong point, math was a weaker element. I love to write, to create a motion through words flowing through from me to you. Now.
If I had to choose a favorite medium that I explore, I would choose installation art. Creating an immersive environment for possible personal transformation to unfold in, that is what I love. Using all the elements: sound, smell, visual art, sculpture, audience participation, temperature, video projection and more to effect change. I love embracing audiences in this way, equalizing everyone into a group experience that surprises even me. Even me.
Theatre brought me into the arts. I have co-written a play, and I have performed a couple of one-woman shows. I've acted in a feature film and a short. I bring my theatrical training into all that I do, especially my rap performances. I rap in character. I study people, gestures, listen for language everywhere I go. Listening for the interplay between those around me, so that I can bring it to my work. To you.
Recently I have considered myself to be a visual artist. It took me awhile to realize that I had been making visual art to support my installations and performances. I have always drawn these mask-people with pen and markers, and now I am more keen to share my drawings. I studied an
Iñupiaq traditional whaling suit and recreated it using modern materials. I have a strong desire to recreate more objects from my culture that haven't been made for some time. I love to work with my hands to manipulate materials. Sculpture.
Once a year or once every two years, I become a part of a constellation known as Yada Di. We are a band that explores all genres of music. I sing and rap in the band, yet want to pick up the guitar again so that we will have more flexibility in our configurations. It is led by three strong Arctic women: Yngvil vatn Guttu from Norway who is a master Jazz musician, Elena Lukina from Russia who is a brilliant violinist and pianist, and myself. We have three other members who rotate, depending on who is available. I love Yada Di. It means "what is this?" in Dena'ina Athabaskan and is used when you are asking a question about something that is hard to describe. We explore the mythological.
Are you still with me? I am still with you.
I love working with youth, because at one time, I was a youth. Like you. I became a rap artist to reach out to other Alaskan Native youth, so that they could see themselves on the stage, hear themselves in their headphones. Working with youth humbles me deeply, as they teach me so much about being a good human being, moving forward in a good way. My favorite part is when the youth I have worked with stop me and recognize me in a store and say hello. They are so amazing.
Most of my work is around climate change and the environment. I have also been part of protecting the environment, working and learning as part of teams. I was part of the inaugural Grist 50 in 2016 for approach of art and the environment. I met my fellow Grist 50 people I'm excited to be inspired by people who sacrifice so much to uplift, to heal.
Underlying all of these things is me, as an Iñupiaq woman. I am just one Iñupiaq, not representing all Iñupiaq people, as that would be impossible to do. I love belonging to a place. Being connected to a story that has been told and re-told and shared for over 10,000 years. Knowing who my Ancestors are, emulating my Elders who shaped my young psyche. Being Iñupiaq in all that I do, learning to speak my language, and helping to lead the Kisaġvigmiut Traditional Dancers. I was raised by my Iñupiaq mom, as my redhead Dad from Missouri divorced her when I was just two. It was a gift, as my Mom was intentional about making sure I ended up being Iñupiaq. Being a representative of my family, my Ancestors, my traditional territories.
Now you know more about me. You have a window into my world. There is much more to share, much more to see. I am working diligently to bring you content here that reflects my spirit, my Ancestors coming through my work, to you. Keep visiting and hit the refresh button when you come back. This is a place that shifts and expands, grows and makes motions to the sky. Thank you for visiting me here. Quyanaqpak.
letting go of all your former selves
like watching sparks rising up from a fire
there is no hold
in this fast moving river
you are eternal
(9:02 17 June 2016 - 140 characters)