Native Fashion

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

Native Fashion
Native Fashion
Sydney Pursel, curator
Galleries 315, 316, 317, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Native Fashion features traditional garments, powwow regalia, streetwear, accessories, haute couture, photography, and contemporary art by national and local Indigenous designers alongside examples from the Spencer Museum's collection. The exhibition highlights the artistic richness of wearable artworks and their connection to historical and contemporary culture as expressions of tribal and personal identity. An accompanying runway show will showcase the talent of contemporary makers and remind visitors that display cases are not the natural context for Indigenous apparel. The exhibition examines the role fashion and adornment play in Indigenous lifeways through four themes that were developed in collaboration with a team of Native community advisors:

“Resilience” features Indigenous genius through innovation, technology, and resourceful use of materials, including how trade among Native groups and later Europeans affected craft, design, and embellishment.

“Representation” celebrates the diversity that exists among the 573+ federally recognized Tribes, featuring various styles of traditional and contemporary dress while educating the public about the differences between cultural appropriation and appreciation.

“Politics” discusses the ways colonization, government policies, and activism have affected Indigenous identity and dress, including why American flag motifs were incorporated into beadwork and how activist groups utilize wearable symbols for awareness and solidarity.

“Community” highlights artists, designers, and storytellers within our local Indigenous community. A workshop space allows people to gather, sit and relax, make art, touch material samples, and browse Native fashion publications.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Jontay “Kahm” Kahmakoatayo
Void , 2023
Kevin Pourier
Lily Hope
Isabella Falashoka
Wendy Red Star
Teri Greeves
Tokeya Waci U Richardson
Diamond Williams
Diamond Williams
Moon Guide, 2024
Diamond Williams
Cara Romero
Naomi, 2018
Leona Antoine; Morning Star Designs by Leona Antoine
Claudia Tyner Little Axe - A TiPi Makers Daughter
Claudia Tyner Little Axe - A TiPi Makers Daughter
Sage Mountainflower
Sage Mountainflower
Marguerite M. Nellis
Haskell Student, circa 1939
Diego Romero; Black Rock Editions, LLC
Pueb Fiction, 2020
Jaune Quick-to-See Smith
Modern Times, 1994
Marguerite M. Nellis
Haskell Student, circa 1939
Diego Romero; Landfall Press
Cara, 2018
Henry Payer
Josh MacPhee; Stumptown Printers
Orville John Green
Cara Romero
Oil & Gold, 2021
Orville John Green
Marguerite M. Nellis
Molly Murphy Adams
Leona Antoine; Morning Star Designs by Leona Antoine
Katrina Miller
Patricia Michaels; PM Waterlilly by Patricia Michaels
Patricia Michaels; PM Waterlilly by Patricia Michaels
Eagle Feather Wings, 2019 - 2019
AJ Holder
AJ Holder
untitled (T-dress), 2019 - 2019
AJ Holder
AJ Holder
AJ Holder
Eddie Tsalabutie
concho belt, mid 1900s–1965
Mamie Mitchell
unrecorded Chaticks si Chaticks (Pawnee) artist
roach headdress, late 1800s–1928
Rita Belgarde
star quilt, 1999
Rita Belgarde
pair of beaded moccasins with heels, late 1800s–early 1900s
Chris Pappan
Mary Annette Clause
Tim Lammers
Madeline Cartine
pair of moccasins, 1974–1975
unrecorded Ka’igwu (Kiowa) artist
bag with beaded flap, late 1800s–1950
Ada Bosin
pair of beaded cuffs, early 1900s–1980
Wolf Robe Hunt
bolo tie, 1900s
unrecorded Kainai (Blood) artist
beaded necktie and collar, late 1800s–1950
Nora Thompson Dean
pair of moccasins, late 1800s–1981
Lorene Pokorea
belt ornament, late 1800s–1981
Kenneth Long Crow
Mrs. Lame Bull
pair of beaded moccasins, early 1900s–1919
unrecorded Chaticks si Chaticks (Pawnee) artist
pair of girl's leggings, late 1800s–1980
unrecorded Flathead artist
Lambert Homer; Dan Simplicio
unrecorded Ka’igwu (Kiowa) artist
pair of beaded moccasins, late 1800s–1996
Bernard Homer
bolo tie, late 1800s–1964
Lani Porter
Tim Lammers
dyed quills, 1991
Jodi Webster
Skoden, 2023
Rhonda Holy Bear
Rhonda Holy Bear
Rhonda Holy Bear
Grass Dancer, 1988
Rhonda Holy Bear
Joe Kelly, 1990
Rhonda Holy Bear
Messengers, 1985
Rhonda Holy Bear
Naiomi Glasses; Polo Ralph Lauren
wool coat, 2024
Diamond Williams
Land and Sea, 2024 - 2024
Jamie Okuma; Eighth Generation
Aiyana Jack
Elias Jade Not Afraid
Mel Beaulieu; The Beads Knees
Mister Hands, 2023
Leona Antoine; Morning Star Designs by Leona Antoine
Steven Paul Judd; The NTVS
Rebekah Jarvey; Nike, Inc.
Lauren Good Day
Lauren Good Day
Nike, Inc.; Lauren Thomas
Lisa LaRue-Baker; Konrad Pumpkin Seed
Mona Cliff (Hanuk-gah-nee/Cloud she is Spotted)
NDN-uity, 2024
Jeffrey Gibson; Tandem Press
himmak pilla, 2022
Jamie Okuma
Becoming, 2022

Events

September 10, 2024
Talk
12:00–1:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 317 Perkins Central Court
September 10, 2024
Activity
1:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 409 Lee Study Center
September 12, 2024
Talk
10:15–11:00AM
Spencer Museum of Art, 317 Perkins Central Court
September 12, 2024
Social
4:00–6:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Mississippi St
September 25, 2024
Talk
3:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 317 Perkins Central Court
October 26, 2024
Activity
1:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art
October 26, 2024
Activity
1:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art
October 27, 2024
Screening
2:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 318 Brosseau Learning Center
November 16, 2024
Activity
1:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 317 Perkins Central Court
November 16, 2024
Talk
1:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 318 Brosseau Learning Center
November 17, 2024
Performance
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art
November 21, 2024
Screening
6:00–7:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 318 Brosseau Learning Center
November 22, 2024
Talk
12:00–1:00PM
December 14, 2024
Performance
4:00–6:00PM
Kansas Union Ballroom, 1301 Jayhawk Blvd

Resources

Documents