In our history, Indigenous men painted narrative and figurative scenes on smoked hide robes, recording great stories of incredible exploits in war, hunting, and love. Few make these robes anymore and lives of contemporary Indigenous men are very different from those of their ancestors.  However, Indigenous men continue to accomplish great deeds that need to be recognized and honoured. Exploit Robe (Toying Around), is a reproduction of Cruz’s first “burner” (a large and elaborate graffiti piece) created at twelve years of age, and recognizes the beginning of his journey as a graffiti artist.

Here the use of the term “toy,” acknowledges his inexperience as a writer while recognizing and honouring him, and the beginning of his journey as an artist and as a man.
 
IMAGE LIST:
 
Exploit Robe (Toying Around) (2012) beads on moose hide, 58” x 62”. Photo Credit: Cruz Anderson
 
Exploit Robe (Toying Around), detail. Photo Credit: Cruz Anderson
 
Exploit Robe (Toying Around) (2012) detail. Photo Credit: Leah Snyder
 
Exploit Robe (Toying Around), installed at La Guilde, Montréal for “Beading Now!”. Photo Credit: Leah Snyder