Historical and contemporary Native American art at PEM speaks to the connections within hundreds of Native communities and extends the conversation to those of us beyond the cultural bonds. An early 19th-century female facemask celebrates a Kaigani Haida artist's ancestors with finely rendered facial features and a jutting lower lip. The carving, created for non-Native audiences, invites discussions about tribal customs, social status and cultural concepts of beauty. Large-scale, bold paintings by Judith Lowry draw on the Native community's rich history of storytelling. Her inspiration comes from her family, fellow Maidu artists Frank Day and the late Harry Fonseca, and Italian Renaissance artists. Works from the 17th century to the present demonstrate the adaptive and creative nature of Native cultures and Native American artistic expression through time. Ceramics, textiles, sculpture, clothing, jewelry, masks, musical instruments, paintings and works on paper reveal connections to Western art movements.
Images
Marine Phoenix, 1999
Gift of the artist
Basketry Cap, before 1840
Headdress, before 1839
Gift of H.P. Upton
Hat, ca. 1820s
Gift of Captain Thomas Meek via Captain William Osgood
Crooked Knife, mid-19th century
Museum Purchase
Pipe Tomahawk, ca. 1770s
Ex A.B.C.F.M. Collection
Leggings, ca. 1820
Gift of Captain David Bates Douglass, U.S. Army
Puffin Beaks Rattle, 19th century
Chilkat Blanket, before 1832
Gift of Captain Robert Bennett Forbes, 1832
Headdress, before 1853
Gift of M.W. Shepard
Baby Carrier, ca. 1835
Ex A.B.C.F.M. Collection
Eagle Salmon Blanket, 2000
Story Mask: "Gunarhasimget Races to Rescue His Wife," 1999
Museum purchase through the Mr. and Mrs. James Krebs Fund, 2000
Dream of Ancient Life, 1995
Early Untitled #1, 1982
Self-Portrait as a Pojoque Buffalo Dancer, 1999
Ishi, 2001
Buffalo Robe, ca. 1850-1875
Gift of Stephen Wheatland, Augustus P. Loring, Thomas Barbour, and Lawrence Jenkins, 1945
Honoring Drum
Raven Rattle
Museum Purchase, 1932
Portrait Mask, 19th century
Gift of Edward S. Moseley, 1979
Tray, ca. 1840
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Carey, 1990
Pipe
Beaded Basket, 19th century
Donated before 1960
Djilakons Doll, Early 19th century
Bark box, 1831
Sea Monster, 1888
Museum Purchase, 1954
Shirt Strip in Purple and Yellow, early 20th century
Monks Collection, 1944
Souvenir of Alaska, late 19th century
Gift of Charles G. Weld, 1908
Beaded Bag
Pair of Spoons, 19th century
Gift of the Fenstemakers Collection, 1949
"Indian Country Today," 1996-97
(White Earth Oijbwe and Mdewakaton Dakota)
Necklace, before 1826
Gift of John Marsh
Vessel, 1200-1400
Gift of H. Nichols
Spruce-Root Hat, before ca. 1829
Donor unknown
Quiver and Bowcase, 1850-1875
Museum Purchase
Shirt, ca. 1830
Ex Essex Institute Collection
Military-style Jacket, late 19th century
Gift of Mrs. Amy Gilette Bassett
Bow, before 1821 (detail)
Donor unknown
Beothuck Mound # 6, 1996
Museum Purchase, 2000
Canoe Model, ca. 1823-25
Gift of Major Enos Cutler, U.S. Army
Basket, before 1832
Gift of Captain Robert Bennett Forbes
