Photographer Tailyr Irvine shares work at MAM in 'Beyond Bison'

“Beyond Bison: Returning Land to the Original Stewards,” a photographic exhibition by Salish and Kootenai journalist and photographer Tailyr Irvine, is on display through March 24 in the Lynda M. Frost Contemporary Native American Art Gallery at the Missoula Art Museum.

According to a press release from MAM, Irvine brings a deeply grounded perspective to her work. Her photography amplifies Indigenous voices while challenging stereotypes about Native Americans, centering the people, stories, and complex issues within the diverse communities that make up Native America.

Irvine is the co-founder of Indigenous Photograph, an organization dedicated to expanding the inclusion of Indigenous photographers in media and ensuring that stories from their communities are told with authenticity, agency and care.

Irvine, who was born and raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation, graduated from the University of Montana School of Journalism in 2018 and worked at The Dallas Morning News and Tampa Bay Times before beginning her career as an independent journalist. She’s a regular contributor to The New York Times, National Geographic, and Smithsonian, and currently lives in Missoula.

The museum also credits Mary James of Paper & Ink Studio in Missoula for her support in printing the photographs in this exhibition.

Irvine will discuss her work at 5:30 p.m. March 6 during a First Friday celebration for “Beyond Bison.” The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit missoulaartmuseum.org.