Da-ka-xeen Mehner
(b. 1970)
Da-ka-xeen Mehner is a transdisciplinary artist whose work explores Indigenous identity, and equity and examines power structures through a lens of personal narrative. His work has been exhibited internationally and can be found in numerous public and private collections.
Da-ka-xeen received his A.A. from the Institute of American Indian Arts, and his B.F.A. from the University of New Mexico. From 1994-2000 Mehner served as the founder and director of Site 21/21, a contemporary art gallery in Albuquerque, NM, and was a founding member/owner of the (Fort) 105 Art Studios in downtown Albuquerque in 1998. Da-ka-xeen returned to Alaska in 2000 and earned his M.F.A in Native Arts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2007.
Mehner has been recognized for his work with several fellowships including the Rasmuson FoundationFellowship, Native Arts and Culture Fellowship, Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship, and the United States Artists Fellowship 2015
Mehner’s home studio is located in the vast boreal forest outside Fairbanks Alaska where he lives with his family. He is currently the Director of the Native Art Center and Chair of the Art Department at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.