Art of Nations: This piece is intended to show the juxtaposition of patterns designed by commercial mills such as Pendleton, Oregon City, Beacon etc. with patterns designed by Native tribes. All designs were specifically intended for the Native American consumer, but created by both “white” and “red” cultures. All patterns arose or were used during the reservation period 1880-1930 which was a period of creative experimentation for Native artisans. The up-ward pointing triangles represent commercial-mill-produced patterns, whereas the down-ward pointing triangles represent 12 Native tribes, primarily from the Plains. Since the Native American consumer forms the common denominator a faint circle-hidden in plain sight - was used to connect all the components, alluding to the interconnectedness of everything in life and the world. |
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Top row, left to right: commercial-Racine, Buell, Beacon, Native-Cheyenne, Crow, Kiowa, Shoshone.
Middle row, left to right: commercial-Capps, Pendleton, Shuler and Benninghofen, Native-Ponca, Oglala(Sioux), Hidatsa, Arapahoe.
Bottom row, left to right: commercial- Buell, Oergon City, Beacon-Ombre, Native-Blackfeet, Otoe, Cree, Arikara.
The choice of patterns hinged an availability of material and which designs could be adapted to fit into the triangular spaces while still retaining their authentic colors and designs. Often 3 or 4 sources had to be used to arrive at 1 design, but care was taken to remain “authentic”. The design measures 22x28 and is done entirely in pencil. |