Photo by: Courtesy of the Spencer Museum of Art
Spider Woman/Aspiring Woman by Teri Greeves (Kiowa)
The University of Kansas’ Spencer Museum of Art opens a new exhibition on Native American fashion on Sunday.
Native Fashion explores the diversity and ingenuity of wearable art made by Native peoples from the 19th century to the present day. Representing over 40 tribal nations, the exhibition features traditional garments, contemporary couture and streetwear, and accessories, including jewelry, bags, and other trinkets.
The exhibition is curated by Sydney Pursel (Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska), curator of public practice at the Spencer Museum, in collaboration with a team of advisors from the indigenous community: Christina Haswood (Diné), Alicia Swimmer (Oglala and Sicangu Lakota), Felicia Miner (Cheyenne River Sioux), and Miranda Bradford (Citizen Potawatomi Nation). Elena Theresa (Apache Tribe of Oklahoma) and Dominique Stringer served as curatorial interns.
Photo by: Courtesy of the Spencer Museum of Art
Void by Jontay “Kahm” Kahmakoatayo
“The advisory board, comprised entirely of Indigenous artists, was instrumental in developing the exhibition themes and artist selection, which includes many local Indigenous designers,” Pursel said in a press release Wednesday. “I am especially excited about the opportunity to showcase local artists alongside nationally recognized artists to capture the incredible talent of our home region and reflect the great diversity of Indigenous artists.”
The exhibition explores the significance of fashion and jewelry to historical and contemporary culture as an expression of tribal, personal, political and collective identity. The role of fashion is explored in four overarching themes: resilience, representation, resistance and relationships, the press release states.
In addition to the exhibition, the Spencer Museum will host a fashion show on Dec. 14 at the Kansas Union to showcase contemporary Indigenous fashion and celebrate Indigenous designers from the region. Additional details about the fashion show will be announced in the coming months, the press release said.
“Native Fashion” will remain on display until January 5, 2025. Admission to the Spencer Museum and this exhibition is free.
Other programs associated with the exhibition include artist talks and demonstrations. For more information, visit Spencer’s website at spencerart.ku.edu.
Photo by: Courtesy of the Spencer Museum of Art
Concho belt by Eddie Tsalabutie (Zuñi)
