Artist Bio

D’Lynda Crossett is an Indigenous/Caucasian sculptor raised by her mother Susan and father Steve, Elder of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. She is a descendant of Chief Kiogima Standing Stone of the Ottawa tribe. Born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1989, D’Lynda was raised on a farm. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art with an emphasis in 3D intermedia at Texas Woman’s University in May of 2022. In her spare time, D’Lynda likes to go hiking with her dog Ahna in nature where she hugs trees, smells flowers, and becomes one with Mother Earth. She is also a musician who plays the guitar and sings indie-pop at local open mic nights. Her art vending business has been showcased in Suburban Newspapers.

Artist Statement

As an Indigenous/Caucasian woman artist, I create large-scale mixed-media sculptures that explore my family heritage, Indigenous history, and issues impacting Native communities. I explore natural and organic forms in my sculptures and installations using metal, wood, leather, and Indigenous techniques. I draw from my own struggles with mental health and use my work to advocate for more awareness about mental health issues and threats to Indigenous women, girls, two-spirits, and LGBTQQIA+ people. 

I create because it is calming and therapeutic for my mind. When I weld or work with my hands, everything in my sight is focused, so that I am fully present in the moment, one with the pool of molten metal. All of the thoughts and voices in my mind are silenced as I get into the zone. I also seek to share this experience with others through workshops and community gatherings. I believe by openly speaking about my own journey with mental health, my work can contribute to ending the stigma around mental illness.

My inspiration comes from my family heritage and Indigenous Peoples’ history. I seek to connect spiritually with my ancestors, like my Great Great Great Grandfather Chief Kiogima Standing Stone, who watches over and protects me. I grew up learning from and working with my father who is a carpenter. I feel honored to learn traditional crafts and sacred practices; together, we make medicine bundles, leather bags, turkey feather smudge fans, and more. Watching and helping him create beautiful custom furniture and carpentry, instilled in me the importance of a strong work ethic and a love for creating materials that might be traditionally viewed as masculine such as metal and wood. He raised me to live my truth and not to let gender stereotypes prevent me from doing anything I want to do.        

I strongly believe in standing up and advocating for causes I am passionate about. I form sculptural works of art that are both visually appealing and intriguing. I create because I want to make a difference. My most notable work titled, When will the GENOCIDE of Indigenous Peoples stop?!?, seeks to raise awareness of the ongoing violence against Indigenous communities. Indigenous women, girls, two-spirits, and LGBTQQIA+ Peoples are going missing and being murdered at alarming rates due to colonization, racism, sexualization of Indigenous women and girls, generational trauma, and lack of respect for our communities’ values. A study in 2016 stated there were 5,712 missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and only 116 of those were reported to the Department of Justice’s database. We are living on stolen land, and our people are being murdered. The media is not informing society of these injustices; most outside of Indigenous communities are completely unaware. I use my art to spread awareness and educate society. It is time we started protecting and honoring the people whose land we are living on.