Portraits & Portals

Photo of Sarah Young Bear-Brown/tti-Ks-mi-ge-a

“My name is Sarah Young Bear Brown. I am a beadwork artist. This beadwork depicts the story of, Alofaeleuma Faualo, a survivor of 2 Tsunami warnings  that were threatening the island of American Samoa.”

Sarah Young Bear Brown

The Process: Behind the Beadwork

Check out Sarah’s reflection on how she turned a story about living through tsunami threats  into a beautifully beaded art piece.

Sarah's piece, in process
Sarah’s piece, in process
Sarah's piece, in process
Sarah’s piece, in process
Sarah's piece, in process
Sarah’s piece, in process

The Final Piece

Without further ado, we are so proud to present to you Sarah’s final artwork!  

Sarah's Final Piece
Sarah’s Final Piece

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Praise for the Final Piece

“Stunning!!!”

“What a strikingly beautiful piece!  Wow”

“Sarah’s piece is breathtaking!”

“This really speaks to me on an island as well, I cried!”

“The love and power in this piece is incredible!”

“Piece is Amazing 😇🔥🔥🔥🔥”


“Beautiful storytelling interpretations of the deep relationship between the land, ancestors, and survivors. Plus the pain experienced by trapped when land, water, and sky move in ways that humans aren’t prepared for.”

Biography

Hoat! Sarah Young Bear-Brown/tti-Ks-mi-ge-a is a member of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa – the Meskwaki Nation. She currently resides in Meskwaki Settlement in Iowa. Sarah is a mother of two young children. She went to Iowa School for the Deaf and attended United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND. She walks in two different worlds; as a Meskwaki and Deaf woman.