'Action/Abstraction Redefined'

In celebration of Arts Month 2022, join us for ‘Action/Abstraction Redefined.’ This exhibition presents modern Native American art from the 1940’s through the 1970’s and features 55 artworks by leading artists such as Fritz Scholder (Mission/ Luiseño), George Morrison (Chippewa), and T.C. Cannon (Kiowa), organized by influences of major twentieth-century art movements including Abstract Expressionism, Color Field, and Hard-Edge painting.

Innovative artists featured in ‘Action/Abstraction’ explored new ways of artistic expression and challenged stereotypical expectations of Native art, resulting in the development of contemporary Native art. Their deeply personal paintings, sculptures, and works on paper were created in studios across the nation and at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, where artists were encouraged to experiment and take risks. As part of avant-garde movements at the time, Native artists redefined the concept of abstraction and pushed the boundaries of Native art.

‘Action/Abstraction Redefined’ is organized by IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, Santa Fe, NM. Action/Abstraction Redefined was co-curated by Dr. Lara Evans, Professor of Art History, IAIA Research Center for Contemporary Native Arts Director; Tatiana Lomahaftewa-Singer, curator of collections, IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts; and Dr. Manuela Well-Off-Man, chief curator, IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts.