Summer Vacation Redux #29: Denver Art Museum, part 6

The volume and variety of art represented in these two floors of galleries is so amazing that all I can do is give you snippets and accept the fact that I've missed so much.  I can say that only the National Museum of the North American Indian in Washington, DC comes close and honestly, I felt that the variety and range of artifacts here was better.  There's no question that the NMNAI has a finer building for this specific collection, or that some of its gallery spaces are far superior.  But in DC the museum uses it's galleries to tell a far broader story and in doing so has to limit the types of object specific to North American Indians to a less comprehensive treasure trove.

 You enter to a series of Navajo rugs.

 The little one in the foreground "Jar" 1994 by Anderson Paynetsa, Zuni, and the larger one, also "Jar" circa 1930 by Tsayutitsa, Zuni.

A series of "Baskets" and "Containers" by Elizabeth Hickox (1872-1947) Karuk

"Trade Canoe for Don Quixote" 2004 by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Salish/Kootenai/Cree/Shoshone 

This is a special exhibition of one work that is in the initial gallery.  It is accompanied by a video.

"Shirt" circa 1910, Artist unknown, Jemez

(Left to Right) "Sakwa Hu katsina" circa 1985 by Tom Collateta, Hopi; "Angwusnasomtaqa katsina" circa 1920, Artist unknown, Hopi; and "Kooyemsi" circa 1985 by Bill Sewemaenewa, Hopi

The painting in the back "South View at Tewa" 1986 by Dan Namingha, Hopi

Sculpture in the foreground "Gift of the Earth" 1991 by Allan Houser, Chiricahua Apache 

The other sculpture is also his, but I failed to get the title.

In this intimate little space between larger galleries was this expressive and vibrant work consisting of a series of panels with abstracted designs suggestive of western landscapes.  "Straight Ahead" 2010 by James Lavadour, Walla Walla

Three examples of the exquisite beadwork used to festoon a "Bandolier Bag".  The work on the left is from circa 1840 by an unknown Cherokee Artist, and the two on the right are from circa 1810 and circa 1830 respectively both by unknown Seminole Artists.

The work in the foreground is "Cradleboard" circa 1918 attributed to Tahdo Ahtone, Kiowa

"Tipi" circa 1890 attributed to Standing Bear, Lakota Sioux/Minneconjou/Brule Band

A detail from the design on the canvas

"Headdress" circa 1950 by unknown Sioux Artist

"Box and Border Robe" circa 1875 by unknown Yankton Dakota Artist

"The Fourth World" 2012 by Kent Monkman, Cree 

Another contemporary work that at first glance just looks like a Native American Buffalo hunt, but upon closer inspection is filled with enigmas.

"Untitled (Snakes)" circa 1970 by Norval Morrisseau, Ojibwa/Anishnaabe

 Featured contemporary art galleries

"Blood Painting" 2014 by Gregg Deal, Pyramid Lake Paiute

I thought the placard was worth including for this one.  Gregg is very gracious in his assessment of the situation.  I would have added to his quote "and willful racism", but then I am not as gracious.

 "Defiant to Your Gods" 2015, by Gregg Deal, Pyramid Lake Paiute

From the second floor you can look over a balcony to a relatively modest extension of the Native American Indian collections.  The museum takes full advantage of the soaring ceiling to display large works like totem poles and this Haida Lodge facing.

One wall is home to a series of masks.

"Mask" 1993 by Beau Dick, Kwakwaka'wakw

"Bear Mask" circa 1890 by unknown Kwakwaka'wakw Artist 

The appellation was to a Bear, but I honestly thought it looked a whole lot more like a Bat.  However, it was time for lunch!