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Rebekah Crisanta de Ybarra a.k.a. Lady Xøk (she/her, Maya-Lenca Nation citizen, El Salvador, b. Tomah, WI) is an Indigenous Salvadoran-Norwegian contemporary interdisciplinary artist rooted in Central American and diasporic Indigenous Futurisms. Her work, which often speaks from a perspective of Liberation Theology about shared and erased ancient histories, seeks to shift consciousness around immigration, borders, exodus and interconnectedness of Indigenous Peoples of the Americas to rural America. She experiments with genre and form for embodied storytelling & immersive healing across visual art, dance, theater, and music. She works in many disciplines including installation, video art, performance, sound art and music, traditional arts and archival research. Her social practice is shaped as a mother, culture bearer, survivor, 2nd generation refugee, biracial adoptee, pastors’ kid, and artist living with invisible disability.
Rebekah has exhibited visual work in traditional, guerrilla, site-specific and ephemeral ways often as nature-based installation and soundscapes. She often incorporates performance into her work on themes of climate change, sound-color frequencies, women’s narratives, Liberation Theology, immigration and indigenous identity. Recent past interdisciplinary projects include dance & film-based work “La Luz, la Galaxia, y la Sombrisa” (the light, the galaxy, and the sadness) originally created for Redeye’s NW4W WIP, her children’s puppetry play “Star Girl Clan”, and Lady Xøk music & short film installation “Olonguayu toni mulauna” (I Still Have Medicine) new compositions, visual projections, and revitalized sacabuce drum for the 2024 Cedar Cultural Commissions. Rebekah has exhibited, presented or produced with Intermedia Arts, Electric Machete Studios, Public Functionary, United Theological Seminary, New Native Theatre, Redeye Theatre, Open Eye Theater, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theater, Rosy Simas Danse, The Ordway, MN Orchestra Hall, and La Mama Experimental Theatre Club in NYC, community centers, dives bars & street theatre, among others. Rebekah’s multidisciplinary artistic work has been uplifted by 2025 MSAB Creative Individual, 2024 Cedar Cultural Commissions, MRAC Next Step, 2021-2023 Jerome Hill Artist Fellow in Visual Arts, Minneapolis Creative Response Fund, 2019 Center for Book Arts Jerome Fellowship, 2018 PuppetLab Fellowship, Penumbra Theater’s My America, John S. And James L. Knight Foundation Knight Arts Challenge for Latinx gallery Electric Machete Studios. Since 2007 she curated intertribal exhibitions with Intermedia Arts’ Catalyst Series, Dimensions of Indigenous, and international exhibits such as Mexico City based collective Mujeres Grabando Resistencia at Electric Machete Studios. Awarded a Medal of Honour for Humanity and Ecology, Rebekah weaves deep research into all of her artistic works and serves her community as a culture bearer, musicologist, and instrument maker. She learned clay flutes as apprentice to Armando Gutierrez G. She has served as a Cultural Extension Officer for Maya-Lenca Nation since 2022 and has been an arts educator for over 20 years specializing in Mesoamerican arts workshops for people of all ages. She consults museums as a Lenca collections consultant, co-chairs the Indigenous Round Table at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Lectures include co-presentation with NMAI National Museum of the American Indian at the 2024 ATALM-Association of Tribal Archives Libraries and Museums. Rebekah founded Electric Machete Studios and leads traditional arts & language learning with Casa Cultural Maya-Lenca en MN. www.rebekahcrisanta.com FB @rebekahcrisanta IG @ladyxok IG @electricmachetestudios Youtube animation @rebekahcrisantadeybarraaka615 Youtube music @ladyxok8209 |
PBS-TPT MN Original feature artist spotlight
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GALLERY RESUME
EDUCATION
2027 - B.A., Metropolitan State University, Saint Paul, MN .
Majors: Studios Arts, Sociology/Anthropology Minor: Curatorial Certificate
2001-2004 - Saint Olaf College, Northfield, MN.
Studio Arts, no degree.
2000 - Holtekilen Folkehøskole, Staabek, Oslo, Norway.
2000 - Austin High School, Austin, MN.
Selected Solo, Two and Three Person Exhibitions
2023, Science Museum of Minnesota, Bastón & Birds, Community Curator, St. Paul, MN.
2019, MN Center for Book Arts, Maya Constellation Maps: Decolonial Layers, Minneapolis MN.
2018, Art Shanty Projects, Was i i’kan (Fire & Ice Water), Bde Unma, Minneapolis, MN.
2016, Electric Machete Studios, Nepantla Color and Sound, St. Paul, MN. (curator)
2016, Intermedia Arts, Dimensions of Indigenous: Cultural Identity Politics, Minneapolis, MN. 2015, Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar, Northern Warehouse, Sugar & Paper, Lowertown St. Paul MN.
2014, Dodge Nature Center, Creation Story Nest, ephemeral installation, West. St. Paul
2014, Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality, Paloma: Stories of the Soul, St. Catherine’s, St. Paul MN
2004 Buntrock Commons, St. Olaf College, Al Pueblo Norteamericano (To the North American People), Northfield, Minnesota.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026, Gordon Parks Gallery, Student Salon, Metro State University, St. Paul, MN.
2020, Centro de Artes Gallery, Xicanx: New Visions, San Antonio, TX.
2019, CLUES gallery, Visualiz/Arte, Saint Paul, MN.
2019, Film North, Anxiety about the Precise Significance of the Present and Uncertainty about the Future, Saint Paul, MN.
2019, Minnesota Orchestra Hall, Musica Juntos Sommerfest, Minneapolis, MN. (curator)
2019, Second Shift, 33 Views, Saint Paul, MN.
2019, NCECA (National Ceramic Conference); Ancestral Modernity, Public Functionary, Minneapolis MN. (co-curator)
2018, Aazhoomon & Baabiitoosin It Lies in Many Layers, Miikanan Gallery Watermark Art Center, Bemidji, MN.
2017, House of Mercy, Stations of the Cross, Saint Paul, MN.
2017, CTUL Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha, S. Minneapolis, MN.
2017, For Directions: All My Relation Arts, Minneapolis, MN; Two Rivers Gallery, Minneapolis, MN; Indigenous Roots, St. Paul, MN; Electric Machete Studios, Weaving Our Traditions Together, St. Paul, MN. (co-curator)
2016, All My Relation Arts, Reframe Minnesota: Art beyond a single story, Minneapolis, MN.
2016, Electric Machete Studios, Interventions: A Xicana & Boricua Guerrilla Perspective, St. Paul, MN. (curator)
2016, United Theological Seminary, Hands Up-Don’t Shoot (Her)/Faith [In]Action, New Brighton MN.
2015, Intermedia Arts, Dimensions of Indigenous: Storytelling, Minneapolis, MN. (co-curator)
2014, United Theological Seminary, Mother Mary Come to Me: 400 Years of Symbolism, New Brighton MN
2013, Intermedia Arts, Dimensions of Indigenous: Time, Minneapolis, MN. (curator)
2013, Electric Machete Studios Pop-Up Gallery, Majarajas, St. Paul MN.
2012, Intermedia Arts, Feed and Be Fed, Water Room installation, Minneapolis MN.
2012, Ordway Center for Performing Arts, Mascaras y Milagros, St. Paul MN
2008, MN History Center, 4 Ofrendas, St. Paul MN
2008, Blackdog Cafe, Day of the Dead, St. Paul MN
2007, Grupo Soap del Corazon, Casket Arts building, Frida, Minneapolis MN
2007, Mira Gallery, Dia de los Muertos, Minneapolis MN
2007-13, Intermedia Arts, Catalyst Series: Dimensions of Indigenous, Minneapolis, MN. (curator)
Awards and other Honors
2025, Medal of Honor for Humanity and Ecology, Global Office of Lenca Affairs.
Selected Artist Residencies
2022, Tamarack Land Cooperative, Minnesota North Shore, MN.
2021, La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, La MaMa JumpStart, Soho, New York City, NY.
2020 Cancelled due to COVID, Chicano & Latino Studies, University of Minnesota
2018, Minnesota Museum of American Art, Inaugural Artist-Take-Over the M, St. Paul, MN.
Lectures
2024, Co-Presenter Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, ATALM Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, & Museums national conference, A Home Away from Home: the Lenca Heritage Collection at the NMAI, Palm Springs, CA.
2023, Science Museum of Minnesota, Lenca Archeology, Cosmology, and Contemporary Performance, Community Curator, St. Paul, MN.
2023 Co-Presenter with Dr. Roxanne Gould, “Rematriating Indigenous Studies,” Maya Society of Minnesota, Fall Lecture Series, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN.
2022, Co-presenter with Science Museum of Minnesota, ATALM Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, & Museums national conference, “Decolonization, Deaccessions, & Dark Markets: When NAGPRA & Sorry Aren’t Enough” Temecula CA.
2021, La Mama Live Talks: Breaking It Open, La Mama Experimental Theater Club, NYC.
2018, Artist Take Over the M artist talk, Minnesota Museum of American Art, St. Paul, MN.
2018, Red Eye Theater, Relay Relay, marathon artist interviews on Contemporary Performance, Minneapolis, MN.
2018, Miikanan Gallery Watermark Art Center, Baabiitoosin It Lies in Many Layers, Bemidji, MN.
2017, Día de los Muertos: A Transformative Tradition // Una Tradición Transformadora Panel: Rebekah Crisanta de Ybarra; Gina Kanbalam Miranda; University of MN-Twin Cities Prof. Karen Mary Davalos and Assist. Prof. Gabriela Spears-Rico, Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, MN.
Selected Grants
2025 Minnesota State Arts Board, Creative Individual (interdisciplinary)
2024 Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Next Step
2023 Cedar Cultural Commissions, New music, drum and video art (interdisciplinary)
2021 Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship, Visual Arts
2020 The Jim Henson Foundation Production Grant, Star Girl Clan
2019 Jerome Redeye Theatre’s Works-In-Progress, NW4W, Lady Xøk (interdisciplinary)
2018 Jerome, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Decolonial Star Maps
2018 Cultural Community Partnership, Artist-Takeover-the-M
2017-2018 Jerome PuppetLab, In the Heart of the Beast, Star Girl Clan (interdisciplinary)
2015-2017 St. Paul Knight Arts Challenge to establish Electric Machete Studios Latinx Arts Gallery
2014-2015 Minnesota State Arts Board Folk & Traditional Arts, Ce In Yollotl In Tlapizalli (MN Flute Project)
EDUCATION
2027 - B.A., Metropolitan State University, Saint Paul, MN .
Majors: Studios Arts, Sociology/Anthropology Minor: Curatorial Certificate
2001-2004 - Saint Olaf College, Northfield, MN.
Studio Arts, no degree.
2000 - Holtekilen Folkehøskole, Staabek, Oslo, Norway.
2000 - Austin High School, Austin, MN.
Selected Solo, Two and Three Person Exhibitions
2023, Science Museum of Minnesota, Bastón & Birds, Community Curator, St. Paul, MN.
2019, MN Center for Book Arts, Maya Constellation Maps: Decolonial Layers, Minneapolis MN.
2018, Art Shanty Projects, Was i i’kan (Fire & Ice Water), Bde Unma, Minneapolis, MN.
2016, Electric Machete Studios, Nepantla Color and Sound, St. Paul, MN. (curator)
2016, Intermedia Arts, Dimensions of Indigenous: Cultural Identity Politics, Minneapolis, MN. 2015, Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar, Northern Warehouse, Sugar & Paper, Lowertown St. Paul MN.
2014, Dodge Nature Center, Creation Story Nest, ephemeral installation, West. St. Paul
2014, Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality, Paloma: Stories of the Soul, St. Catherine’s, St. Paul MN
2004 Buntrock Commons, St. Olaf College, Al Pueblo Norteamericano (To the North American People), Northfield, Minnesota.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026, Gordon Parks Gallery, Student Salon, Metro State University, St. Paul, MN.
2020, Centro de Artes Gallery, Xicanx: New Visions, San Antonio, TX.
2019, CLUES gallery, Visualiz/Arte, Saint Paul, MN.
2019, Film North, Anxiety about the Precise Significance of the Present and Uncertainty about the Future, Saint Paul, MN.
2019, Minnesota Orchestra Hall, Musica Juntos Sommerfest, Minneapolis, MN. (curator)
2019, Second Shift, 33 Views, Saint Paul, MN.
2019, NCECA (National Ceramic Conference); Ancestral Modernity, Public Functionary, Minneapolis MN. (co-curator)
2018, Aazhoomon & Baabiitoosin It Lies in Many Layers, Miikanan Gallery Watermark Art Center, Bemidji, MN.
2017, House of Mercy, Stations of the Cross, Saint Paul, MN.
2017, CTUL Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha, S. Minneapolis, MN.
2017, For Directions: All My Relation Arts, Minneapolis, MN; Two Rivers Gallery, Minneapolis, MN; Indigenous Roots, St. Paul, MN; Electric Machete Studios, Weaving Our Traditions Together, St. Paul, MN. (co-curator)
2016, All My Relation Arts, Reframe Minnesota: Art beyond a single story, Minneapolis, MN.
2016, Electric Machete Studios, Interventions: A Xicana & Boricua Guerrilla Perspective, St. Paul, MN. (curator)
2016, United Theological Seminary, Hands Up-Don’t Shoot (Her)/Faith [In]Action, New Brighton MN.
2015, Intermedia Arts, Dimensions of Indigenous: Storytelling, Minneapolis, MN. (co-curator)
2014, United Theological Seminary, Mother Mary Come to Me: 400 Years of Symbolism, New Brighton MN
2013, Intermedia Arts, Dimensions of Indigenous: Time, Minneapolis, MN. (curator)
2013, Electric Machete Studios Pop-Up Gallery, Majarajas, St. Paul MN.
2012, Intermedia Arts, Feed and Be Fed, Water Room installation, Minneapolis MN.
2012, Ordway Center for Performing Arts, Mascaras y Milagros, St. Paul MN
2008, MN History Center, 4 Ofrendas, St. Paul MN
2008, Blackdog Cafe, Day of the Dead, St. Paul MN
2007, Grupo Soap del Corazon, Casket Arts building, Frida, Minneapolis MN
2007, Mira Gallery, Dia de los Muertos, Minneapolis MN
2007-13, Intermedia Arts, Catalyst Series: Dimensions of Indigenous, Minneapolis, MN. (curator)
Awards and other Honors
2025, Medal of Honor for Humanity and Ecology, Global Office of Lenca Affairs.
Selected Artist Residencies
2022, Tamarack Land Cooperative, Minnesota North Shore, MN.
2021, La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, La MaMa JumpStart, Soho, New York City, NY.
2020 Cancelled due to COVID, Chicano & Latino Studies, University of Minnesota
2018, Minnesota Museum of American Art, Inaugural Artist-Take-Over the M, St. Paul, MN.
Lectures
2024, Co-Presenter Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, ATALM Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, & Museums national conference, A Home Away from Home: the Lenca Heritage Collection at the NMAI, Palm Springs, CA.
2023, Science Museum of Minnesota, Lenca Archeology, Cosmology, and Contemporary Performance, Community Curator, St. Paul, MN.
2023 Co-Presenter with Dr. Roxanne Gould, “Rematriating Indigenous Studies,” Maya Society of Minnesota, Fall Lecture Series, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN.
2022, Co-presenter with Science Museum of Minnesota, ATALM Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, & Museums national conference, “Decolonization, Deaccessions, & Dark Markets: When NAGPRA & Sorry Aren’t Enough” Temecula CA.
2021, La Mama Live Talks: Breaking It Open, La Mama Experimental Theater Club, NYC.
2018, Artist Take Over the M artist talk, Minnesota Museum of American Art, St. Paul, MN.
2018, Red Eye Theater, Relay Relay, marathon artist interviews on Contemporary Performance, Minneapolis, MN.
2018, Miikanan Gallery Watermark Art Center, Baabiitoosin It Lies in Many Layers, Bemidji, MN.
2017, Día de los Muertos: A Transformative Tradition // Una Tradición Transformadora Panel: Rebekah Crisanta de Ybarra; Gina Kanbalam Miranda; University of MN-Twin Cities Prof. Karen Mary Davalos and Assist. Prof. Gabriela Spears-Rico, Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, MN.
Selected Grants
2025 Minnesota State Arts Board, Creative Individual (interdisciplinary)
2024 Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Next Step
2023 Cedar Cultural Commissions, New music, drum and video art (interdisciplinary)
2021 Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship, Visual Arts
2020 The Jim Henson Foundation Production Grant, Star Girl Clan
2019 Jerome Redeye Theatre’s Works-In-Progress, NW4W, Lady Xøk (interdisciplinary)
2018 Jerome, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Decolonial Star Maps
2018 Cultural Community Partnership, Artist-Takeover-the-M
2017-2018 Jerome PuppetLab, In the Heart of the Beast, Star Girl Clan (interdisciplinary)
2015-2017 St. Paul Knight Arts Challenge to establish Electric Machete Studios Latinx Arts Gallery
2014-2015 Minnesota State Arts Board Folk & Traditional Arts, Ce In Yollotl In Tlapizalli (MN Flute Project)