This photograph captures two figures standing in an open field. The blue sky is filled with puffy white clouds, and a fence line runs through the background of the image. Both figures are clothed in Indigenous powwow garments, but all the clothing is black. The figure on the right is artist Gregg Deal. He wears a black hat and stands with his feet apart. His face is obscured by a large black handprint, covering his mouth. The figure on the right is Deal’s teen daughter, Sage. Her hair is braided, and she wears a headband. In her raised right hand, she holds a fan of black feathers. Her left hand rests on her left hip. She looks at the camera. Both figures cast dramatic shadows on the ground.

Invisible Loss Movement

  • Gregg Deal
ArtistGregg Deal
Year2018
MediumPerformance
DurationApproximately 15 minutes
CreditCourtesy of the artist

Invisible performance series by Gregg Deal:

Deal has developed his series of Invisible performances to comment on the status of the Indigenous community and Indigenous culture in America today. He intends these performances to function metaphorically. In each iteration, the actors (either Deal and his daughter Sage, or Deal alone) dress in Native powwow garments, but—whereas powwow clothing would typically be colorful—these garments are entirely black. In Invisible Loss Movement, the performers dance in sync with one another. Decorated with bells and aluminum cones, their clothing jingles, but no background music can be heard. As Deal explains, “The figures exist, but don’t exist; they are visible, but invisible; they occupy space both physically and with sound, but they are shadows.” In Invisible Eulogy, Deal appears alone. This performance begins with drumming, then transitions to spoken word.

This photograph depicts the artist, Gregg Deal, standing on a low pedestal in a gallery space with high ceilings and arched windows. Viewers stand behind and to the right, watching him. Deal is dressed entirely in black. He wears Indigenous powwow garments, including a hat with a wide brim. His open mouth is obscured by black face paint in the shape of a large handprint. Deal is speaking, and he is gesticulating with his raised hands. His right hand holds a book.
Invisible Eulogy 1, 2019, performed at Rio Gallery in connection with the Transcontinental group exhibition, Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo courtesy of the artist.
This photograph depicts the artist, Gregg Deal, standing rigidly in the center of a museum lobby. Viewers stand or sit along the walls to the left and right of him. Deal is dressed entirely in black. He wears Indigenous powwow garments, including a hat with a wide brim. His eyes are hidden behind dark glasses. His mouth is obscured by black face paint in the shape of a large handprint. He holds a drum in his left hand and a drum stick in his right hand.
Invisible Eulogy 2, 2019, performed at the Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, Washington. Photo courtesy of the artist.