17.2 Contemporary Native American visual arts

Contemporary Native American visual arts showcase diverse media and styles, blending traditional elements with modern techniques. Artists explore themes of identity, cultural heritage, and social issues through painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia installations.

These artworks challenge stereotypes, preserve cultural knowledge, and address contemporary Indigenous experiences. Native American artists navigate the global art market while confronting issues of cultural appropriation and authenticity in their pursuit of recognition and representation.

Contemporary Native American Art Forms

Diverse Range of Media and Forms

• Contemporary Native American visual arts encompass a wide variety of media and forms, reflecting the diversity of Indigenous cultures and individual artistic expressions across North America
• Artists work in traditional media such as painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia, as well as innovative and experimental forms that push the boundaries of artistic expression
• The choice of media often reflects the artist's cultural background, personal experiences, and artistic vision, resulting in a rich tapestry of contemporary Native American art

Painting Styles and Techniques

• Painting styles range from representational and figurative works depicting Native American subjects, landscapes, and symbolism to abstract and experimental compositions incorporating both traditional and contemporary elements
• Artists employ a variety of techniques, such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media, to create works that explore themes of identity, spirituality, and cultural heritage
• Examples of notable contemporary Native American painters include T.C. Cannon (Kiowa/Caddo), Fritz Scholder (Luiseño), and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes)

Sculpture and Mixed Media

• Sculptural works by Native American artists include traditional carving in wood, stone, and bone, as well as modern materials like glass, metal, and mixed media, often exploring themes of identity, spirituality, and environmental connections
• Artists incorporate found objects, industrial materials, and unconventional media to create sculptures that challenge traditional notions of Native American art and engage with contemporary issues
• Examples of prominent Native American sculptors include Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache), Roxanne Swentzell (Santa Clara Pueblo), and Bob Haozous (Chiricahua Apache)

Photography and Multimedia

• Photography has become an important medium for Native American artists to document their communities, landscapes, and cultural practices, as well as to challenge historical misrepresentations and create new narratives
• Artists use photography to explore issues of identity, colonialism, and cultural survival, often incorporating elements of performance, installation, and digital manipulation
• Multimedia and installation art incorporate various elements such as video, sound, performance, and interactive components, allowing Native American artists to create immersive and multi-sensory experiences that engage with contemporary issues and technologies
• Examples of notable Native American photographers and multimedia artists include Hulleah J. Tsinhnahjinnie (Seminole/Muscogee/Diné), Will Wilson (Diné), and Cannupa Hanska Luger (Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara/Lakota)

Traditional Themes in Modern Art

Integration of Traditional Iconography and Techniques

• Many contemporary Native American artists integrate traditional iconography, symbols, and designs from their respective cultures, such as animal totems, geometric patterns, and sacred imagery, into their modern artworks
• Artists often employ traditional techniques and materials, such as beadwork, weaving, pottery, and basketry, in innovative ways, combining them with contemporary mediums and processes to create hybrid forms of expression
• The incorporation of traditional elements serves to honor ancestral knowledge, maintain cultural continuity, and assert the ongoing relevance of Indigenous artistic practices

Personal and Cultural Narratives

• Personal experiences, family histories, and tribal narratives frequently inform the content and themes of contemporary Native American art, allowing artists to explore their individual identities and connections to their heritage
• Artists draw upon oral traditions, mythologies, and historical events to create works that convey the stories, values, and worldviews of their communities
• By incorporating personal and cultural narratives, artists challenge the notion of a monolithic Native American experience and celebrate the diversity and resilience of Indigenous peoples

Blending Traditional and Contemporary Approaches

• The incorporation of modern elements, such as pop culture references, digital technologies, and global influences, reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of Native American art in the 21st century
• Artists often juxtapose traditional imagery and techniques with contemporary styles and materials to create works that speak to the complexities of Indigenous identities in the modern world
• By blending traditional and contemporary approaches, Native American artists challenge the notion of a static, monolithic "Indian" identity and assert the vitality and relevance of Indigenous cultures in the present day
• Examples of artists who successfully merge traditional and contemporary elements include Brian Jungen (Dane-zaa), Marie Watt (Seneca), and Jeffrey Gibson (Choctaw/Cherokee)

Art as Cultural Expression and Activism

Challenging Stereotypes and Misrepresentations

• Contemporary Native American artists often use their work to confront and subvert the stereotypical and romanticized images of Indigenous peoples perpetuated by mainstream society, such as the "noble savage" or the "vanishing Indian"
• By representing the diversity and complexity of Native American experiences, artists challenge the homogenization and erasure of Indigenous identities and assert the presence and resilience of their communities
• Artists employ irony, satire, and appropriation to critique and deconstruct the harmful stereotypes that have shaped public perceptions of Native Americans, reclaiming agency over their own representation

Cultural Preservation and Revitalization

• Art becomes a means of cultural preservation and revitalization, as artists incorporate ancestral knowledge, languages, and traditions into their work, ensuring the transmission of cultural heritage to younger generations
• Artists collaborate with elders, community members, and cultural institutions to research and revitalize traditional art forms, such as basketry, pottery, and textiles, adapting them to contemporary contexts
• By engaging with their cultural heritage through art, Native American artists contribute to the ongoing vitality and resilience of Indigenous communities, fostering a sense of pride and connection to their ancestral roots

Addressing Social and Political Issues

• Many contemporary Native American artists address pressing social and political issues affecting Indigenous communities, such as land rights, environmental justice, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and the legacy of colonialism and forced assimilation
• Through their art, Native American artists give voice to the struggles and aspirations of their peoples, raise awareness about contemporary Indigenous realities, and advocate for social change and self-determination
• Artists use their platforms to challenge systemic inequalities, promote Indigenous sovereignty, and build solidarity with other marginalized communities, both within and beyond the art world
• Examples of artists who engage with social and political issues include Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), Edgar Heap of Birds (Cheyenne/Arapaho), and Nani Chacon (Diné/Chicana)

Global Art Market and Cultural Appropriation

Increased Visibility and Recognition

• The increasing presence of contemporary Native American art in international exhibitions, galleries, and art fairs has brought greater visibility and appreciation for Indigenous artists and their work
• Major institutions, such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the Venice Biennale, have showcased contemporary Native American art, exposing it to wider audiences and critical acclaim
• The recognition of Native American artists in the global art market has led to increased opportunities for representation, collaboration, and cultural exchange, fostering a more inclusive and diverse art world

Challenges and Limitations

• However, the global art market often privileges certain styles, mediums, and narratives that conform to Western expectations and aesthetics, potentially limiting the range of Native American artistic expressions that gain recognition and commercial success
• The demand for "authentic" or "traditional" Native American art can create pressure for artists to produce works that fit into narrow, essentialist categories, overlooking the diversity and innovation within contemporary Indigenous art
• The commercialization of Native American art can also lead to the commodification and fetishization of Indigenous cultures, reducing complex artistic practices to marketable trends and souvenirs

Cultural Appropriation and Authentication

• The issue of cultural appropriation arises when non-Native individuals or businesses use Native American imagery, designs, or art forms without permission, acknowledgment, or compensation, undermining the cultural integrity and economic opportunities of Indigenous artists
• Examples of cultural appropriation include the unauthorized use of Native American motifs in fashion, home decor, and popular media, as well as the production of counterfeit "Native-inspired" art and crafts
• Efforts to combat cultural appropriation include the development of authentication programs, such as the Indian Arts and Crafts Act in the United States, which aim to protect Native American artists and ensure the authenticity of their work in the marketplace
• Native American artists and communities are increasingly asserting control over the representation, interpretation, and valuation of their art through the establishment of Indigenous-led galleries, museums, and art collectives that promote cultural sovereignty and self-determination in the global art world

Valuation and Authenticity

• The valuation of contemporary Native American art is influenced by factors such as the artist's reputation, the artwork's provenance, and the perceived "authenticity" of the piece, which can be problematic when assessed through a Western lens that prioritizes individual genius over collective cultural expressions
• The notion of authenticity in Native American art is often tied to essentialist ideas of what constitutes "real" or "traditional" Indigenous art, disregarding the evolving and diverse nature of contemporary artistic practices
• Native American artists and scholars have challenged the concept of authenticity as a colonial construct that imposes external standards and expectations on Indigenous art, arguing for a more nuanced and culturally-informed approach to the valuation and appreciation of contemporary Native American art
• The development of Indigenous-led art markets, such as the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market, has provided alternative spaces for Native American artists to showcase and sell their work on their own terms, fostering a more equitable and culturally-sensitive art economy