Artist Bio

I am D’Lynda Crossett, a sculptor raised by my mom, Susan, and my dad, Steve, who is an Elder of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. I’m proud to be a descendant of Chief Kiogima Standing Stone of the Ottawa tribe. Born and raised on a farm in Fort Worth, Texas, I grew up deeply connected to the land and the rhythms of nature.

I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art with a focus on 3D inter-media from Texas Woman’s University in 2022. When I’m not creating, you can find me hiking with my dog Ahna—hugging trees, smelling flowers, and grounding myself in the beauty of our Earth Mother. I’m also a musician who loves playing guitar and singing indie pop at local open mic nights and events.

Through all my creative work, I aim to honor my heritage and share my story in authentic and meaningful ways.

Artist Statement

I create large-scale mixed-media sculptures that explore my family heritage, Indigenous history, and the urgent issues facing our communities today. Using metal, wood, leather, and Indigenous techniques, I shape natural and organic forms that carry deep meaning. My art also draws from my own experiences with mental health and uses my work to raise awareness about mental wellness.

For me, creating is healing. When I weld or work with my hands, I’m completely present. The noise in my mind quiets, and I become one with the molten metal and the materials I’m shaping. That sense of focus and calm is powerful. By speaking openly about my mental health journey, I hope to help break the stigma and create a space where others feel seen and heard.

My inspiration is rooted in Nimama Aki (our Earth Mother) and my ancestors who watch over me. Growing up working alongside my father, a carpenter, I learned traditional crafts and sacred practices, like making prayer bundles. Watching him create beautiful furniture taught me the value of hard work and living my truth, even when that means challenging gender stereotypes around working with materials like metal and wood.

I create because I want to make a difference. My sculptures are meant to catch your eye and make you think. One of my most important pieces, When Will the GENOCIDE of Indigenous Peoples Stop?!?, confronts the ongoing violence against Indigenous communities. Too many Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, and LGBTQIA+ people are going missing or being murdered because of colonization, racism, and trauma—and most people don’t even know this is happening. I use my art to shine a light on these truths and to demand that we start honoring and protecting the people whose land we live on.