NATIVE MUSEUMS AND ACUTE HISTORY

As a Native Artist I’ve noticed that Native Artists in the vanguard aren’t really being shown or seen at “Native Museums” nor discussed as important artists outside this realm. With the exception of MoCNA ( Santa Fe NM) .

I have a theory which I’ll share here.

Native Museums have a constituency and demographic to please. It is the demographic consumer that has grown up to idolize the nobler, romantic and heroic aspects of what Native Americans mean to Pop Culture.
POP Culture seems to want to own the Native American Experience but it cannot. The TRUE Native American Experience can only be lived, experienced and owned by Native People living it currently.

The true struggle of Native people in this country isn’t being discussed in these institutions of higher learning/ museums often enough. Without venues telling real stories and real histories of families, tribes and people, real change won’t occur within Native Communities for the better. Its actually simple. People don’t change or attempt new ideas if the truth about current conditions aren’t shared. If a museum doesn’t reach out and connect with the very community it is supposed to serve, there is no real thread of reality reciprocated between artists and the art we make or history and the stories we share.

The uncomfortable truths about Native American history and the treatment of Native Americans in America does not serve museums boards well. Nor do these historical facts about Americas policy towards native people do much to assuage white guilt. This of course would result in low membership, ticket sales and supposedly less people coming to learn about “Indian stuff”. Neither do I believe in the self-victimization of native people. What I do feel is needed is a balanced and clearer view of history from Native artists across the native art continuum.

A sheltered institutionalized view of Native art exempts Native artists fascinated not so much with historical events or their own cultural anthropology but those wanting to express more personal visions through art.

I could say more but I’ll stop here. My opinion I know isn’t a popular one. However my art isn’t popular either with Native Art Market experts and is all but ignored by those writing/ discussing new ideas in the Native Art field. However it doesn’t stop me or my peers from making new art or working in our own communities. We make art because its our life and not a trend.