🎨Native American Art and Culture Unit 3 – Native American Art: Past and Present

Historical Context and Origins

• Native American art has a rich history spanning thousands of years, with the earliest known examples dating back to the Paleoindian period (15,000-8,000 BCE)
• Art forms evolved over time, influenced by factors such as climate, available resources, and cultural interactions between different tribes and regions
• Prehistoric art includes petroglyphs (rock carvings), pictographs (rock paintings), and portable objects like stone pipes and ceramic figurines
  • Famous examples include the Clovis points (spear tips) and the Folsom points (arrowheads) from the Paleoindian period
• Ancient Native American art served various purposes, including religious ceremonies, storytelling, and recording important events or experiences
• The development of agriculture and settled communities during the Archaic period (8,000-1,000 BCE) led to the emergence of more complex art forms and styles
• The Woodland period (1,000 BCE-1000 CE) saw the rise of mound-building cultures (Adena and Hopewell) known for their elaborate earthworks and intricate artwork
  • The Great Serpent Mound in Ohio is a famous example of Adena culture artwork
• The Mississippian period (800-1600 CE) was characterized by large urban centers, extensive trade networks, and highly developed art forms (Cahokia Mounds)

Traditional Art Forms and Techniques

• Native American art encompasses a wide range of forms, including painting, pottery, weaving, basketry, beadwork, and carving
• Materials used in traditional art varied depending on the region and available resources, such as clay, stone, wood, bone, shell, and plant fibers
• Painting techniques included the use of natural pigments derived from minerals, plants, and animals, applied with brushes made from animal hair or plant fibers
  • Sand painting, a sacred art form used in healing ceremonies by the Navajo, involves creating intricate designs using colored sand
• Pottery was created using hand-building techniques like coiling and pinching, with designs often carved, incised, or painted onto the surface
  • The Pueblo people of the Southwest are renowned for their distinctive black-on-black pottery style
• Weaving techniques, such as twining and plaiting, were used to create baskets, mats, and textiles from plant fibers (yucca, cedar bark, and grasses)
• Beadwork, which became more prevalent after the introduction of glass beads by European traders, was used to decorate clothing, moccasins, and other objects
  • The Plains Indians are known for their intricate beadwork designs on items like war shirts and cradleboards
• Carving, using materials like wood, stone, and bone, was used to create masks, totem poles, and other ceremonial objects
  • The Northwest Coast tribes, such as the Haida and Tlingit, are famous for their elaborate totem poles and wooden masks

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

• Native American art is deeply intertwined with spiritual beliefs, cultural values, and social structures
• Symbols and motifs in artwork often represent important aspects of tribal life, such as animals, plants, natural phenomena, and ancestral spirits
  • The thunderbird, a widespread symbol among many tribes, represents power, protection, and the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds
• Animal imagery in art often reflects the cultural significance of certain species, such as the buffalo for Plains Indians or the salmon for Pacific Northwest tribes
• Geometric patterns and designs, such as the spiral and the zigzag, are believed to hold sacred meanings and are used in various art forms (pottery, textiles, and rock art)
• Colors in Native American art also carry symbolic significance, with each tribe having its own unique associations
  • For example, the Navajo associate white with the east, blue with the south, yellow with the west, and black with the north
• Art plays a crucial role in ceremonies, rituals, and storytelling, serving as a means of transmitting cultural knowledge and values across generations
• The creation of art is often seen as a spiritual act, with artists believed to be guided by ancestral spirits or divine forces
• Many art forms, such as sand painting and certain types of pottery, are considered sacred and are only created for specific ceremonial purposes

Regional Variations and Tribal Styles

• Native American art is incredibly diverse, with each tribe and region having its own distinct styles, techniques, and cultural influences
• The art of the Southwest tribes, such as the Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache, is characterized by intricate pottery designs, vibrant woven textiles, and turquoise jewelry
  • Pueblo pottery is known for its hand-coiled construction and geometric designs, often featuring animal and nature motifs
• The Plains Indians, including the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Comanche, are known for their colorful beadwork, quillwork, and painted hides
  • Tipis, decorated with symbolic designs and storytelling scenes, are a distinctive art form of the Plains tribes
• The Northwest Coast tribes, such as the Haida, Tlingit, and Kwakiutl, are renowned for their elaborate totem poles, wooden masks, and intricate carvings
  • Totem poles, which can reach heights of over 60 feet, depict family crests, mythological figures, and important events
• The Iroquois of the Northeast are known for their wampum belts, which use shell beads to create intricate patterns and convey important messages or agreements
• The Seminole of Florida are famous for their colorful patchwork clothing, which features bold geometric designs and contrasting colors
• The art of the Arctic tribes, such as the Inuit and Yupik, is characterized by its focus on animal imagery and the use of materials like ivory, bone, and driftwood
  • Inuit sculpture, often depicting animals or human figures, is renowned for its simplicity and elegance

Impact of Colonization on Native American Art

• The arrival of European colonizers had a profound impact on Native American art and culture, leading to significant changes in materials, techniques, and subject matter
• The introduction of new materials, such as glass beads, metal tools, and manufactured dyes, altered traditional art forms and led to the development of new styles
  • For example, the availability of glass beads led to a flourishing of beadwork art among many tribes
• The forced relocation of tribes to reservations disrupted traditional ways of life and limited access to ancestral lands and resources, affecting the production and transmission of art
• The suppression of Native American cultural practices, including art-making, by government policies and missionary efforts led to the decline of many traditional art forms
  • The Potlatch Ban of 1885, which prohibited the practice of potlatch ceremonies among the Northwest Coast tribes, had a devastating impact on the creation of ceremonial art objects
• The commodification of Native American art by the tourism industry and the art market led to the production of "curio" items, often made for non-Native audiences
• The assimilation policies of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as the boarding school system, aimed to erase Native American cultural identity and discouraged the practice of traditional arts
• Despite these challenges, many Native American artists adapted to new circumstances and found ways to preserve and continue their artistic traditions
  • The Navajo, for example, began creating rugs for the commercial market, adapting their traditional weaving techniques and designs to meet consumer demands

Contemporary Native American Artists

• Contemporary Native American artists continue to draw inspiration from their cultural heritage while also exploring new forms, materials, and themes
• Many artists seek to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Native American art and culture, creating works that address issues of identity, politics, and social justice
  • Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, a Salish artist, creates mixed-media works that critique the commodification of Native American culture and the environmental impact of colonization
• Some artists blend traditional techniques and materials with contemporary art practices, creating innovative and thought-provoking works
  • Brian Jungen, a Dunne-za artist, creates sculptures using repurposed consumer goods, such as Nike Air Jordans, to comment on consumerism and globalization
• Photography and video art have become important mediums for Native American artists to document their communities and explore issues of representation and self-determination
  • Wendy Red Star, a Crow artist, creates multimedia installations that challenge romanticized notions of Native American culture and history
• Many contemporary artists also engage with the art market and institutions, participating in exhibitions, residencies, and public art projects
  • Kay WalkingStick, a Cherokee artist, has had a successful career spanning over five decades, with her work featured in major museums and collections worldwide
• Indigenous comic book artists, such as Arigon Starr (Kickapoo) and Elizabeth LaPensée (Anishinaabe/Métis), are using the medium to tell stories that reflect Native American experiences and perspectives
• Native American fashion designers, like Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo) and Bethany Yellowtail (Northern Cheyenne/Crow), are creating contemporary clothing and accessories that celebrate their cultural heritage

Preservation and Revival Efforts

• Efforts to preserve and revive traditional Native American art forms have gained momentum in recent decades, driven by tribal communities, artists, and cultural institutions
• The passage of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA) in 1990 aimed to protect Native American artists from the misrepresentation and sale of counterfeit "Native-made" products
  • The act requires that any art marketed as "Native American" must be created by an enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe
• Tribal museums and cultural centers, such as the Navajo Nation Museum and the Heard Museum, play a crucial role in collecting, preserving, and exhibiting Native American art
• Many tribes have established cultural preservation programs to support the transmission of traditional knowledge and skills to younger generations
  • The Cherokee Nation, for example, offers classes in traditional pottery, basketry, and beadwork through its Cherokee Arts Center
• Artist collectives and cooperatives, such as the Alaska Native Arts Foundation and the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, provide support, resources, and marketing opportunities for Native American artists
• Educational institutions, like the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, offer degree programs in Native American art and culture, fostering the next generation of Indigenous artists
• Collaborations between Native American artists and non-Native institutions, such as museums and universities, have led to the development of new research, exhibitions, and public programming
  • The National Museum of the American Indian, a Smithsonian Institution museum, has been at the forefront of such collaborations, working closely with Native communities to present their art and culture on their own terms

Influence on Modern Art and Popular Culture

• Native American art has had a significant influence on modern art movements and popular culture, inspiring artists, designers, and creators across various fields
• The abstract designs and bold colors of Navajo textiles and Pueblo pottery influenced the development of American modernist art in the early 20th century
  • Artists like Marsden Hartley and Georgia O'Keeffe drew inspiration from the geometric patterns and earthy tones of Southwestern Native American art
• The surrealist movement, particularly the work of artists like Max Ernst and André Breton, was influenced by the dreamlike imagery and symbolism of Native American art
• The environmental art movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which emphasized the use of natural materials and the integration of art with the landscape, was inspired in part by Native American land art traditions
  • Robert Smithson's iconic work "Spiral Jetty" (1970) bears a striking resemblance to the ancient Native American earthworks of the Ohio Valley
• In popular culture, Native American art and design elements have been appropriated and adapted for various purposes, from fashion and home decor to sports team logos and mascots
  • The use of Native American imagery in popular culture has often been controversial, with many Indigenous communities calling out instances of cultural appropriation and misrepresentation
• Contemporary Native American artists have also made significant contributions to popular culture, using their platforms to challenge stereotypes and assert their cultural identity
  • Musician and visual artist Buffy Sainte-Marie (Cree) has used her work to address issues of social justice and Indigenous rights, gaining international recognition and influencing generations of artists
• Native American art has also had an impact on the global art market, with collectors and institutions increasingly recognizing the value and significance of Indigenous art forms
  • Major auction houses, such as Sotheby's and Christie's, have held high-profile sales of Native American art, setting record prices for works by both historical and contemporary artists