Stereotypes

Savages and Princesses: The Persistence of Native American Stereotypes brings together twelve contemporary Native American visual artists who use the unexpected—humor, emotion, or shock—to encourage viewers to question and challenge stereotypes, even unspoken, unacknowledged ones … a past exhibit on display at the museum November 7, 2020-January 9, 2021.

Students from OSU’s 2020 Museum Studies class assisted with the installation of the exhibit and addressed persistent Native American stereotypes by creating an online exhibit which can be accessed through the buttons below. Student creators included Arlowe, Jorge Chavez Enriquez, Katanna Davis, Emily Duncan, Jacie Earwood, B Hinesley, Macy Jennings, Ally Kummel, and Jai Rogers. Special thanks to Macy for her work in creating the exhibit website.

Select images of artwork from the exhibit, “Savages and Princesses: Persistent Native American Stereotypes,” can be found below.

Shan Goshorn

Study for Vessel, 2015

Arches watercolor paper splints printed with archival inks and acrylic paints, 8 x 8 x 9 inches; courtesy of private collection.

We will forever remember her smile, her heart, and her message — for us to care deeply for the people in our lives, the natural world, the animals, Earth, and those who continue to struggle against injustice.

Tom Farris         

But I Can’t Prove It, 2016

Acrylic and The Dawes Roll book, 8 x 8 x 9 inches; courtesy of the artist.

Farris has been immersed in American Indian art his entire life. The child of passionate collectors, Farris spent a good deal of his formative years in various museums, galleries and artists' homes. Having such intimate contact with the genre, Tom found inspiration for his own growing artistic aptitude. A member of the Cherokee Nation and Otoe-Missouria tribe, he draws from his culture and his life-long influence of American Indian art to create his works.

This exhibition is toured by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. Funding for the exhibition was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.