Nicholas Galanin, a Tlingit and Unangax̂ artist from Sitka, has made significant contributions to contemporary Indigenous art. Born in 1979, Galanin's educational journey began at the University of Alaska Southeast and led him to London Guildhall University, where he earned a B.F.A. in jewelry design and silversmithing in 2003. He completed his M.F.A. in Indigenous visual arts at Massey University in New Zealand in 2007.
Galanin's diverse body of work spans sculpture, installation, photography and performance, exploring themes of colonialism, cultural appropriation and Indigenous resilience. His art is featured in prominent collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Seattle Art Museum. Key exhibitions include the Liverpool Biennial, Desert X Biennial and Biennale of Sydney. 

Galanin has received numerous accolades for his artistic achievements, including the 2023 Joan Mitchell Fellowship, the 2020 Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence Award in Art from the Academy of Arts and Letters and the 2020 Soros Arts Fellowship.

In addition to his visual art, Galanin has pursued a dynamic music career under the alias of Silver Jackson, blending Indigenous sounds with contemporary influences. He co-founded HomeSkillet Records and its eponymous summer music festival in Sitka. His most recent musical project,titled Ya Tseen, is a record with label Sub Pop record and is set to release in July 2025. 

Galanin is also a dedicated mentor, working with young artists in his community. His work and advocacy have made a profound impact, earning him recognition and respect both within the Indigenous community and the broader art world.