Kindred Spirits
Native American Influences on 20th Century Art
Peter Blum Soho is pleased to announce the exhibition Kindred Spirits, Native American Influences on 20th Century Art on view October 29, 2011 through January 28, 2012.
The
exhibition features works of indigenous peoples from the Southwest region of the United States of America that illustrate their strong and often neglected influence on Modern and Contemporary art.
Funerary vessels, paintings, pottery, weavings, and baskets from
fourteen tribes
including the Apache, Hopi, Mimbres, Navajo, and Zuni are exhibited
alongside Modern and Contemporary works by artists such as Josef Albers,
Max Ernst, Agnes Martin, Georgia O’Keeffe and Jackson Pollock (see complete list below),
illustrating the profound inspiration these artists found in the desert
landscapes and Native American cultures of the Southwest.
Iconic photographs
by Ansel Adams, Edward Curtis, Sumner Matteson, Paul Strand and Adam
Clark Vroman are on view as well, providing both a historical and
geographical framework for the objects and artworks.
Also on display is the full six-volume set of the legendary publication, Historical
and Statistical Information, Respecting the History, Conditions and
Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States by Henry Rowe
Schoolcraft published between 1847 and 1857. Additionally, a selection
of important mid-nineteenth century books by George Catlin and
illustrations by Karl Bodmer, which were among the first publications to
illustrate and document Native American life give further insight and
reference.
Contemporary artists Andrea Geyer/Simon J. Ortiz and Nicholas Galanin offer reflection on
the social and political significance of the Native American peoples and how these factors have shaped their artwork.
Works
by the following tribes and artists are included in the exhibition:
Apache,
Arapaho, Acoma, Cayuse, Havasupai, Hopi, Mimbres, Navajo, Panamint, Pueblo,Sioux, Yavapai, Zia, Zuni
Ansel
Adams, Edward Curtis, John Karl Hillers, Lee Marmon, Sumner Matteson, Paul Strand, Adam Clark Vroman
Josef
Albers,
Max Ernst, Helmut Federle, Nicholas Galanin, Andrea Geyer/Simon J.
Ortiz, Agnes Martin, Georgia O’Keeffe, Bruce Nauman, Jackson Pollock,
Charles Simonds
On the occasion of the exhibition, Peter Blum Edition has published the book, Kindred
Spirits, Native American Influences on 20th Century Art. This hardcover text includes 118 illustrations of all of the works in the exhibition and
features texts by the poet and art critic Carter Ratcliff, and Comanche author, essayist and curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the
American Indian, Paul Chaat Smith.
In addition to the exhibition, a series of discussions will take place at Peter Blum Soho, 99 Wooster Street, NY:
Nicholas Galanin will give a presentation on Tuesday, November 1st at 6:30 pm
A poetry reading and discussion by Simon J. Ortiz will take place on Thursday, December 15th at 6:30 pm.
For additional information and photographic material please contact Renée Albada Jelgersma at soho@peterblumgallery.com.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturday 11am-6pm.