Native American Art

It is through their art that many people learn about and make intellectual contact with the Native Peoples. It is also through their art that many people see them. Some people can see the creativity that represents the ability of these peoples to adapt to changing conditions and to speak to them. Others are blind to this and only want to see the same pot or basket reproduced over and over, representing for them the static image of a disappeared people. Still others see the market for this work as an opportunity for exploitation yet again.

Here we will place material that discusses these issues, but not links to the art itself. Those links can be found elsewhere.

Indian Art, an essay by Joseph Marshall III, in On Behalf of the Wolf and the First Peoples,: Red Crane Books.
An essay by Paula Giese on the definition of Native American art
Hulleah J. Tsinhnahjinnie's photography
The art of Gerald Clarke
The art of Nora Naranjo-Morse
The House of Aboriginality
Statement on "Native-influenced" music by Arlie Neskahi of the Rainbow Walker Music site.
Intellectual Property Rights from the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office
Buying Native American Arts and Crafts: from the New Mexico Atty. General's Consumer Protection Office
How to Buy Genuine American Indian Arts & Crafts: from the Indian Arts and Crafts Board and the FTC
Indian Arts and Crafts Association
Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA)

Books available which discuss Native Art and the Politics of Native Art

Who Owns Native Culture?, Michael F. Brown, Harvard University Press.
The Arbitrary Indian: The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 by Gail K. Sheffield, Univ. Okla. Pr.
See the essays by Native writers on photographs and photography in: Partial Recall, ed. Lucy Lippard, New Press.
See also the photographs and essays in Strong Hearts: Native American Visions and Voices,: Peggy Roalf, Aperture 139.
I Stand in the Center of the Good : Interviews With Contemporary Native American Artists,: Lawrence Abbott (Editor), Univ. Nebraska Pr.
The archive of Native American art books on the Native American Resources website.
The entire archive of recommended books on the Native American Resources website. After the Fair Pena, Amado Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
Native American Art posters available from AllPosters.com and Art.com:: Helen Hardin, Tony Abeyta & Joe Maktima art posters
R. C. Gorman art posters
Veloy Vigil art posters
Clifford Brycelea art posters
John Nieto art posters
Virginia Stroud art posters
Blackbear Bosin & Donald Vann art posters
Mark Silversmith art posters
Edward Curtis Photograph posters

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The People Involved with This Site