Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Brian Duane Tripp
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- 21 boxes, 19 linear feet
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Brian D. Tripp Papers. Cal Poly Humboldt, Library Special Collections and Archives
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Brian D. Tripp Papers measure 19 linear feet (10 record cartons and 11 oversize flat boxes) and are dated 1800s-2022 (bulk 1968-2005). The papers consist of correspondence, printed material, writings, publications, notes, research materials, sound recordings, artwork, and photographs. They document Tripps’s career as an artist, activist, educator, mentor, poet, singer, traditionalist, writer and curator of exhibitions in the field of contemporary art. Most of these papers were gathered from Brian’s house in Orleans, California on May 16, 2021, with Brian himself selecting materials for the donation. There was talk of subsequent visits to select more materials for the collection, but Brian passed away on May 13, 2022. There is a very small amount of documentation of his mural work and his sculpture work in this collection. A small number of records concerning his personal life and his art sales and loans are included in the Biographical and Business files (Series 1). Correspondence to and from Brian are found in Series 2. Publications by and about Brian, as well as extensive unpublished writings including poetry are also in the collection (Series 3). Documents relating to Brian’s public activities—including art related activities, poetry readings, lectures, community projects, ceremonial and traditional performances, and consultant work—are included in Series 7. Brian collected the art and exhibition information of and made art with many professional artists, family, and friends (Series 8). Brian also kept publications and printed material in relation to his interests (Series 9). Series 10 is oversize material corresponding to material types from the first nine series.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Brian Duane Tripp (1945-2022), a member of the Karuk Tribe, was an internationally renowned artist and poet. He was a traditional singer and dancer, participating in countless ceremonies throughout the region. He made murals and sculptures as well as writing poetry and participating in poetry readings. He did graphic design work for musical artists and local tribal organizations. Brian was a teacher and mentor. He was called by his initials, BDT. In later years, he often signed his art BDT. Brian was born on April 6, 1945 in Eureka, California to Amos and Violet Tripp. He was raised in the town of Klamath, California with his brothers Amos, Leroy, David, and Phillip. He graduated from Del Norte High School in 1963, where he studied art with Rick Bennett and Mr. Scovill, and was voted “Most Talented” of his class because of his art. After high school he worked and served in the Army. After returning home from Vietnam, Brian worked as a choker setter and continued with his art. In 1969, Brian and his brother David began taking classes at Humboldt State College. He studied drawing, printmaking, and ceramics. His studies in calligraphy with Reese Bullen and printmaking with Bill Anderson influenced his art and poetry. While still a student, Brian was invited to teach Native American art history courses, which he did from 1971-76 and again in 1989-91. Brian met Dolly Kellogg at HSC in 1971. They married in 1973 and their son Jasper “Jazzy” Tripp was born in 1975. During this time, Brian and Dolly regularly visited Brian’s brother Amos who was attending law school at University of California at Davis. Brian met and was mentored by artists Frank LaPena (Nomtipom Wintu) and George Longfish (Seneca/Tuscarora). Brian also meets and exhibits with many other artists including Harry Fonseca (Nisenan Maidu), Jean LaMarr (Northern Paiute/Achomawi), David Ipiña (Yurok), Charley Burns (Yurok), and George “Pordie” Blake (Hupa). In the late 1970s, Brian and Frank Tuttle (Yuki/Wailaki/Konkow Maidu) were the editors and layout artists for Indian News, the newspaper of the Tri-County Indian Development Council, now known as Northern California Indian Development Council. The 1980s through the early 2000s were peak periods of creativity for Brian. He participated in important exhibitions at Sacramento's Crocker Art Museum and the inaugural exhibition at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. In the 1990s, his work was featured in exhibitions at the de Young Museum in San Francisco and the New Museum in New York. With his drawings, paintings, and sculptures, he exhibited art locally and throughout the world, traveling to Austria, Aix-en Provence, France, and Latvia. In 1999, he toured Japan as part of a performing arts festival. Newspapers were a favorite material for drawing and poetry, especially the I. Magnin ads from the San Francisco Chronicle. The texture of the paper was to his liking, he would see where his drawing fit into the images on the pages, and the stories would inspire the titles of his artworks. Brian often wrote and made art about Karuk culture and his part in it, injustices faced by Karuk people and Native American people in general. In 2009, Brian ran to serve on the Karuk Tribal Council. In 2013, Brian moved to Karuk Elder Housing in Orleans, California. His home became an art studio and gallery. Brian continued to be involved in a number of mural and sculpture projects. He also received the California Living Heritage Award from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) in October 2018 in recognition of his status as one of the artistic grandfathers of the cultural renaissance and revitalization movement that continues to inspire generations of California Indian artists today. In the last two years of his life, Brian moved in with his nephew Sonny and great-nephews Imya and Mateek in McKinleyville. With the help of his family, he organized 2021 events like a gathering of traditional singers and dancers at Sumeg Village and a summer concert event in Blue Lake. Brian continued to create as long as he could, and was going through his poetry collections with the publication of a poetry book in mind. He also planned for his artistic legacy through the donation of this collection to Cal Poly Humboldt Special Collections.
- Acquisition information:
- Donated by Brian Tripp on May 16, 2021.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is processed. It is currently available by appointment.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce from collections must be submitted in writing to the Special Collections Librarian. Copyright is not deeded to Special Collections, Library, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Special Collections Librarian.
- Preferred citation:
-
Brian D. Tripp Papers. Cal Poly Humboldt, Library Special Collections and Archives
- Location of this collection:
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Third Floor, Room 3031 Harpst StreetArcata, CA 95521-8299, US
- Contact:
- (707) 826-3419