Meet the Artist
Hillary Kempenich is a multi-disciplinary artists, cultural bearer, and advocate, emphasizing her work to empower Indigenous people. Award winning artist Hillary Kempenich is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Hillary has immersed herself into sustaining her small business and continues her passion for community work. Raised on the Turtle Mountain reservation, Kempenich continues to advocate for better educational, health and cultural standards through her work in both urban and rural communities.
Hillary Kempenich is fluent in many mediums with a collaborative style influenced by her independent spirit as a creative woman and her deep connection to her heritage of Ojibwe, Cree, Assiniboine, Dakota, and French-Canadian ancestral roots. Kempenich comes from a family of strong artist abilities, of which are strong influences within her work. While holding on to the ties to the Turtle Mountains, Kempenich works on developing her trades with her own personal style.
Hillary has a growing list of group and solo shows, collaborations, as well as receiving recognition nationwide. The year of 2015 proved to be successful beginning for her career, marked by awards from the National Indian Child Welfare Association, Native Arts Gathering and the First Peoples Fund. Hillary Kempenich received a second-place ribbon in the prestigious SWAIA’s Indian Market in 2018. Hillary’s artwork has recently been published in the “Finish the Fight!” a book written by New York Times author Veronica Chambers. “Finish the Fight!” are chronicles of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color suffragists, whose stories may have gone untold. Hillary’s work continues to be featured in private collections, museums, and galleries throughout the United States.
Hillary holds a bachelor’s degree from University of North Dakota. Kempenich serves on the Grand Forks Foundation for Education Alumni Network board of directors and the North Dakota Indian Business Alliance board of directors. Hillary also serves as an arts and cultural consultant. Hillary lives in Grand Forks, North Dakota with her family.
Hillary Kempenich is fluent in many mediums with a collaborative style influenced by her independent spirit as a creative woman and her deep connection to her heritage of Ojibwe, Cree, Assiniboine, Dakota, and French-Canadian ancestral roots. Kempenich comes from a family of strong artist abilities, of which are strong influences within her work. While holding on to the ties to the Turtle Mountains, Kempenich works on developing her trades with her own personal style.
Hillary has a growing list of group and solo shows, collaborations, as well as receiving recognition nationwide. The year of 2015 proved to be successful beginning for her career, marked by awards from the National Indian Child Welfare Association, Native Arts Gathering and the First Peoples Fund. Hillary Kempenich received a second-place ribbon in the prestigious SWAIA’s Indian Market in 2018. Hillary’s artwork has recently been published in the “Finish the Fight!” a book written by New York Times author Veronica Chambers. “Finish the Fight!” are chronicles of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color suffragists, whose stories may have gone untold. Hillary’s work continues to be featured in private collections, museums, and galleries throughout the United States.
Hillary holds a bachelor’s degree from University of North Dakota. Kempenich serves on the Grand Forks Foundation for Education Alumni Network board of directors and the North Dakota Indian Business Alliance board of directors. Hillary also serves as an arts and cultural consultant. Hillary lives in Grand Forks, North Dakota with her family.
Artist Statement
Photo courtesy of Nedahness Rose Greene (Greene Photography)
Photo courtesy of David Cournoyer
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The world around me is continual inspiration in my journey. I believe in keeping cultural traditions in the fast paced world yet I believe in the need of innovation as our world continually evolves. As a young child, many cultural bearers in our community took time out to share knowledge in traditional art, as well as contemporary art. Keeping the traditions and culture of the Turtle Mountains has become imperative as I no longer live on the reservation. I am challenged to translating my observations, thoughts, and conversations through various mediums such as painting, photography, installation work and short film in the rural expanses of North Dakota. While living in an urban, non-indigenous community, I find myself working to sustain cultural ties for both myself, and fellow Native people. I also take this time to educate, empower, and create bridges for all communities. As we walk through our journey here on Earth, many paths that intersect. As I enter each cycle of my life, there has been great opportunity to grow as an individual, while hoping to leave a positive impact on others. While living in an urban, non-indigenous community, I find myself working to sustain cultural ties for both myself, and fellow Native people. I also take this time to educate and create bridges for all communities through my creations. I find that reflecting upon those observations creates an impactful body of work. 
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