Food is Medicine: Louie Gong

Louie Gong

Artist Bio:

Louie Gong (Nooksack)(@louiegong) is a prominent Coast Salish artist, activist, and entrepreneur who was raised by his grandparents in the Nooksack tribal community. In 2008, he founded the ground breaking lifestyle brand Eighth Generation, the first Native-owned company to produce wool blankets, shifting millions from non-Native corporations to Native artists and Native-owned businesses.

A self-taught artist, Louie’s vibrant Coast Salish art has been showcased at esteemed institutions like the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History and Harvard’s Peabody Essex Museum. He has collaborated with brands like Brooks Running and Starbucks and designed for the Seattle Kraken and Alaska Airlines. His recent work merges watercolor and Chinese ink with Coast Salish design.

After creating economic opportunities for over 70 Native artists, Louie sold Eighth Generation to the Snoqualmie Tribe in 2019, exemplifying the “Native American Dream.” In 2023, he joined the U.S. Senate’s Commission on Art where he will continue his fierce advocacy for cultural artists. Since 2007, his story has been highlighted by MSNBC, NPR, NBC Nightly News, National Geographic and many others.

Artist Statement:

**Title: Food is Medicine**
**Artist: Louie Gong (Nooksack)**
**Medium: Mixed Media on Paper**

The theme “Food is Medicine” evokes profound Indigenous values, such as showing reverence for the foods that nurture us. In Coast Salish territory, salmon is a vital food staple, and thus, it is often depicted in art, stories, and spiritual practices. This cultural practice fosters a deep respect for salmon and subsequently, a commitment to stewardship. Reflecting on this traditional value, I examined my own food staples in contemporary life, leading me to the chicken!

The chicken theme resonates with me because the chicken is drastically undervalued -even devalued – despite its cultural importance. This disconnection between traditional values and contemporary realities excites me, as it offers an opportunity to challenge cultural blind spots and expand the boundaries of Coast Salish art to incorporate essential aspects of modern life, such as the chicken.

My artwork is rooted in my personal story, including my upbringing on a rural homestead until the age of ten, where I had many interactions with chickens. One of my responsibilities was to collect eggs from a large chicken coop surrounded by stinging nettles. This task was perilous due to an aggressive rooster, which became a pivotal memory when he jumped on my back and clawed at me after I fell. Focusing on the rooster connects this piece to a core experience in my life, and I appreciate how roosters are masters of the alert, making them a strong symbol to use when conveying important messages.

Additionally, I incorporated stinging nettle, an iconic food and medicine revered by coastal peoples for its ability to enhance blood circulation and alleviate pain. It can also be woven into cordage. By connecting the chicken to a plant already valued as food and medicine, I aim to elevate the chicken’s status under the theme “Food is Medicine.”

Although my foundation lies in more traditional use Northwest Coast design elements, I emphasize integrating these designs with new-to-me practices in watercolor and ink. By carefully blending Coast Salish motifs with new mediums and themes, I aspire to spark dialogue about the vital role of cultural values in navigating our modern lives.

#ArtistsForFoodJustice: Twelve Washington artists from Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities and marginalized identities interpret our monthly Meaning of Food themes through original digital artwork, premiering on the first day of each month. Learn more about this series and the artists here.