Portraits in Red: Missing & Murdered Indigenous People Painting Project

The MMIP Painting Project began not as a project at all but with the intent of it being just one painting to show support for the Missing & Murdered indigenous peoples crisis. Artist Nayana laFond created the first painting on May 5, 2020, the day of remembrance for MMIP. She shared it ontine and the response was so overwhelming she did one more, yet again intending that to be the end. The response to the second was even more and so Nayana opened her inbox to anyone wanting to be painted not expecting the 25+ the received the first day.Stories and images of loved ones missing, murdered, survivors and advocates/activists. It was then that it became a project when Nayana decided to paint them all and they didn’t stop coming. As of February 2024 there is now 110 completed paintings and a constant queue.

The paintings are done in black and white with red being the only color visible because many indigenous groups believe red is the only color spirits can see. The hand over the mouths symbolizes being silenced.

Nayana  is a domestic violence survivor and feels compelled to do this work to raise awareness and promote change and healing. The paintings are done for free and Nayana does not profit monetarily  from the creation or sale of these works. She donates any profits to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC.org). In lieu of taking monetary donations, she asks people to donate to any of the many organizations working with families and toward change.