Double-sided Drum, ca. 1890
Chaticks-si-Chaticks (Pawnee) artist
Rawhide, wood, iron nails, tacks, and pigment
3 ½ x 18 inches (diam.) (8.8 x 45.7 cm)
Fenimore Art Museum, Thaw Collection, Cooperstown, New York, T0086
Photograph by John Bigelow Taylor, New York
Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art
On view January 14, 2012 to April 29, 2012
Located in the: Special Exhibition Galleries
Shapeshifting celebrates Native American ideas that have crossed time and space to be continuously refreshed with new concepts and expressions. Experience this vitality through sculpture, paintings, ceramics, textiles, photographs, videos and monumental installations drawn from collections in the United States, Canada and Europe. Rarely seen historic pieces, shown alongside some of the finest contemporary works, demonstrate the diversity and continuity of Native American art and culture from 200 B.C.E. to the present.
Exhibition supported in part by the Terra Foundation for American Art, Peck Stacpoole Foundation, the Bay and Paul Foundations, Ellen and Steve Hoffman, ECHO (Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations) and the East India Marine Associates (EIMA) of the Peabody Essex Museum.
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Images
Mask representing walaunuk
Yup'ik artist; Mask representing walaunuk, early 1900s; Wood, feathers, paint, and cordage; 34 x 21 ½ x 17 inches (86.4 x 54.6 x 43.2 cm); National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 9/3432; Photograph by Walter Larrimore/NMAI.
The Artifact Piece
James Luna (born 1950), Puyoukitchum (Luiseño); The Artifact Piece, 1987; Photograph of performance; 48 x 60 inches (121.9 x 152.4 cm); Courtesy the artist;© James Luna, photograph by Robin Holland, New Museum.
Spoon, 2008
Kevin Pourier (born 1958), Lakota; Spoon, 2008; Buffalo horn and stones; 10 ½ x 3 ¼ x 3 ⅞ inches (26.6 x 8.3 x 9.8 cm); Private collection; © Kevin Pourier, image © 2012 Peabody Essex Museum, photograph by Walter Silver.
Cetology
Brian Jungen (born 1970), Dunne-Za Nation; Cetology, 2002; Plastic chairs; 63 ⅝ x 496 ¼ x 66 ⅜ inches (161.5 x 1260.4 x 168.7 cm); Vancouver Art Gallery, British Columbia, Vancouver Art Gallery Acquisition Fund, purchased with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Assistance Program, VAG2003.8a-z; © Brian Jungen, image courtesy Vancouver Art Gallery, and Brian Jungen and Catriona Jeffries Gallery, photograph by Tomas Svab, Vancouver Art Gallery.
Monster Indian
Fritz Scholder (1937 - 2005), Luiseño; Monster Indian (from "Super Indians" series), 1968; Oil on canvas; 18 x 20 inches (45.7 x 50.8 cm); Collection of Anne and Loren Kieve; © Fritz Scholder Estate, image courtesy Anne and Loren Kieve, and National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution.
Double-sided Drum, ca. 1890
Chaticks-si-Chaticks (Pawnee) artist
Rawhide, wood, iron nails, tacks, and pigment
3 ½ x 18 inches (diam.) (8.8 x 45.7 cm)
Fenimore Art Museum, Thaw Collection, Cooperstown, New York, T0086
Photograph by John Bigelow Taylor, New York
Related Events
Included with museum admission
Join us during school vacation week as we celebrate Native American artists from New England. Watch artists at work, take a family tour of Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art and make art of your own!
Daily Activities
DROP-IN ART
11 am–3 pm | Atrium | For families
FAMILY GALLERY EXPLORATION
Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art
11:30 am–noon | Atrium | For families with children ages 5 and up
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of program
A hands-on exploration designed just for families.
Monday, February 20
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Woven Quillwork
11 am–3:30 pm |Atrium
Aquinna Wampanoag artist Elizabeth James-Perry demonstrates the intricate art of woven quillwork. See how she transforms porcupine quills into works of art.
PERFORMANCES
Drumming
Noon–12:30 pm and 2–2:30 pm |Atrium
Jonathan Perry (Aquinnah Wampanoag) performs at PEM followed by a Q&A.
Tuesday, February 21
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
Woven Quillwork
11 am–3:30 pm |Atrium
See Monday listing
Wednesday, February 22
PEM PALS
10:30 am | For children ages 5 and under with adult
Meet at the information desk
A fun, interactive program designed for preschoolers and their caregivers. Made possible by Target and American Dental Partners.
Thursday, February 23
DROP-IN ART
11 am–3 pm | Atrium | For families
FAMILY GALLERY EXPLORATION
Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art
11:30 am–noon | Atrium | For families with children ages 5 and up
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of program
A hands-on exploration designed just for families.
Friday, February 24
PERFORMANCES
Exploring Wampanoag Culture
11 am and 2 pm |Atrium
Annawon Weeden (Mashpee Wampanoag) shares stories, dance and music from his tribal culture.
Made possible by the Lowell Institute
Members only, $15
Join Karen Kramer Russell, the curator of Native American art and culture and curator of the Shapeshifting exhibition, for a look at the remarkable creative expression of Native American artists past and present.
Members only, $15
