Native American artist Piersten Doctor’s journey as an artist in downtown Phoenix has seen not only his work evolve, but also his connection to his Native roots.
“Everyday you meet someone new, someone, you never met across the globe…” Doctor said. “Trying to keep up with the local scene is pretty difficult at times, but when you can, it’s a good thing to be involved in.”
Doctor’s work as an artist helps to reinvigorate not only downtown Phoenix’s art space but also the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC), a nonprofit cultural center.
ALAC is a cultural center that promotes Latinx and indigenous arts and culture with its gallery and store. ALAC is located in downtown Phoenix near Adams and Second streets.
Doctor, 26, and his family moved from Tuba City in Northern Arizona when he was 3 years old for the Valley. Doctor has made a name for himself in downtown Phoenix as a Navajo artist.
He started his career doing pop culture-centered art until he met Jose Andres, the art curator at ALAC when he was painting a mural.
“I met him when we were working on the mural in the back of the alley, and he passed by on his bike and wanted to help out,” Andres said. “I told him to come on in and become a member…a lot of guys do that, but they don’t come in, but he kept coming in every day.”
Doctor, with guidance from his older brother, Riedel Doctor, kept art as a hobby for most of his life. Doctor said, whenever he did not want to pay attention in class, he would doodle or draw. His brother taught him the basics of art, but he went on to learn the rest of his technique on his own.
“Most of the time, I paint just for myself,” he said.
Doctor started doing art in a professional capacity while he was supporting himself through odd jobs a year before joining ALAC.
“They are a fantastic cultural institution for downtown Phoenix, not just the art scene, but as a cultural space for Latinos where we can feel like this is our space and that’s important just for presence alone,” said Mathew Sandoval, member of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy. “Their work and the artist they bring into the gallery are among the most vibrant work that is happening in Phoenix, in my opinion.”
Doctor adds much to the downtown art scene, Sandoval said.
“He’s adding an indigenous quality to something that is deeply indigenous, Latino identity,” Sandoval said.
ALAC provided Doctor with a place where he could hone his skills and make a name for himself.
“I love that they eyed an artist like Pierson to come in to do work and have his work be transformed by working in a Latino space,” Sandoval said.
Since he joined ALAC, Doctor’s work has grown significantly as he perfects his techniques and creates art concerning his Native roots.
ALAC accepted Doctor because it seeks diverse voices who could properly convey Latino centric art. While he’s not Latino, Doctor’s Native roots play well at ALAC, said his fellow resident artist Roman Reyes.
Reyes spoke of the interconnectedness of indigenous and Mexican cultures.
“We are inseparable…a lot of Native Americans in Mexico intermingled during the Columbus era,” Reyes said. “I was born in Mexico, but I’m 52% Native American from the Otomi tribe in Mexico, so the connection is strong.”
Since 2016, Doctor has worked with ALAC to bring about his indigenous roots at the forefront of his art.
Whether it’s through shows at places like the Heard Museum or displaying his art through social media, Doctor never misses a chance to lift and promote his fellow artists.
“You can use (your platform) to your advantage and help everyone else run with you, not just yourself,” Doctor said.
Despite his age, Doctor has accomplished a lot for himself as a contributor to arts and culture in Phoenix. It sometimes astonishes Doctor himself.
“They see the work, and the work resembles something of an older person, and that gives me a lot of confidence,” Doctor said.
Contact the reporter at lzambra2@asu.edu.
