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Kali Spitzer

Bodies of, Bodies Within

Kali Spitzer’s work embraces the stories of contemporary BIPOC, queer and trans bodies, creating representation that is self-determined, with her collaborative process being informed by the desire to rewrite the visual histories of Indigenous bodies beyond a colonial lens. Kali is Kaska Dena from Daylu (Lower Post, british columbia) on her father’s side. On her Mother’s side, she is Jewish from Transylvania, Romania. Kali’s heritage deeply influences her work as she focuses on cultural revitalization through her art, whether in the medium of photography, ceramics, tanning hides or hunting. Trust and vulnerability are an integral part of Kali’s practice and she is continually grateful to all she has been able to work with thus far.

Kali studied photography at the Institute of American Indian Arts and the Santa Fe Community College. Working with film in 35 mm, 120 and large format, as well as wet plate collodion process using an 8×10 camera, her work includes portraits, figure studies and photographs of her people, and culture. Throughout Kali’s career she has documented traditional practices with a sense of urgency, highlighting their vital cultural significance.

Special selections of some photography series by Kali will be shown at the AGGV, from November 18, 2023 to April 17, 2024. These series feature demonstrations of Kali’s work with tintype photography from her series An Exploration of Resilience and Resistance and examples of her work with 35mm film photography from her Our Bodies series.