News
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Kent Tompkins spent more than a decade living on the Navajo Reservation where he first went as a consultant, teaching teachers how to use art with gifted and talented children.
In the process he found a home.
Tompkins lived on Navajo land from 1978 through 1990.
After the first few years of living there, Tompkins was trusted by spiritual elders to photograph and document sacred Indian sites and ceremonies.
The work was funded in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts.
“It was a natural evolution to team up with my Navajo friends to do projects documenting sacred areas. I never saw myself as an outsider,” Tompkins said. “It was cross-pollination of ideas — creating win-win projects together.”
Wednesday, Tompkins will present as a part of the Beyond Radio series at the Radio Room, a presentation of stories and images of “Sacred Sites of the Southwest.” The presentation will also include photographs of Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala, India, and the Sikh golden temple in Amritsar, India.
Tompkins visited the refugees about two weeks before the Tibetans planned a return to their homeland just before the recent Olympics to protest the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
“I was impressed with their candor, their willingness to be photographed,” Tompkins said.
“People will see the strength in the eyes of these people. They’re very steadfast, and also very loving.”
While in India, Tompkins also traveled to the Sikh homeland near Pakistan where he visited the Sikh golden temple. Tompkins plans to talk about the temple’s current function and its relationship to the west.
Forty thousand people a day are fed at the temple, Tompkins said.
The Beyond Radio presentations are free, but reservations are suggested because seating is limited.
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
In the process he found a home.
Tompkins lived on Navajo land from 1978 through 1990.
After the first few years of living there, Tompkins was trusted by spiritual elders to photograph and document sacred Indian sites and ceremonies.
The work was funded in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts.
“It was a natural evolution to team up with my Navajo friends to do projects documenting sacred areas. I never saw myself as an outsider,” Tompkins said. “It was cross-pollination of ideas — creating win-win projects together.”
Wednesday, Tompkins will present as a part of the Beyond Radio series at the Radio Room, a presentation of stories and images of “Sacred Sites of the Southwest.” The presentation will also include photographs of Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala, India, and the Sikh golden temple in Amritsar, India.
Tompkins visited the refugees about two weeks before the Tibetans planned a return to their homeland just before the recent Olympics to protest the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
“I was impressed with their candor, their willingness to be photographed,” Tompkins said.
“People will see the strength in the eyes of these people. They’re very steadfast, and also very loving.”
While in India, Tompkins also traveled to the Sikh homeland near Pakistan where he visited the Sikh golden temple. Tompkins plans to talk about the temple’s current function and its relationship to the west.
Forty thousand people a day are fed at the temple, Tompkins said.
The Beyond Radio presentations are free, but reservations are suggested because seating is limited.
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
Go & Do
What: Beyond Radio’s “Sacred Sites of the Southwest” with Kent Tompkins
When: Wed,, May 27, at 7 p.m. Where: The Radio Room, KAFM Community Radio, 1310 Ute Ave. Cost: Donation requested Info: 241-8801, ext. 223 |
