Native Fashion

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

Native Fashion
Native Fashion
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
Jontay “Kahm” Kahmakoatayo
2023
Brian Yatsattie (born 1971), Bat Bolo
Brian Yatsattie (born 1971)
2018
unrecorded Native American artist, Twentieth Century American Indian Movement Shield
unrecorded Native American artist
1960–1969
Angela Swedberg (born 1962), Stealthy Defense
Angela Swedberg (born 1962)
2020
Kevin Pourier (born 1958), Warrior Shades
Kevin Pourier (born 1958)
2008
Lily Hope, Chilkat Protector
Lily Hope
2020
Isabella Falashoka (born 1964), Yunush Slays the Virus
Isabella Falashoka (born 1964)
2020
Roberta Iyua (born 1977), Protecting Unity with Hope
Roberta Iyua (born 1977)
2020
Marcus Amerman (born 1959), Barack Obama bolo tie with beaded tips
Marcus Amerman (born 1959)
2009
Tokeya Waci U Richardson, The Lance and Shield Buffalo Robe
Tokeya Waci U Richardson
Henry Payer (born 1986), Frontline Aunty
Henry Payer (born 1986)
2022
Molly Murphy Adams (born 1977), Market Imperialism
Molly Murphy Adams (born 1977)
2004
unrecorded Native American artist, scarf ring
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, blue butterfly pendant
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, green butterfly pin
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, blue flower pendant
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, Alaska belt buckle
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, orange flower pendant
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, Colorado sunset
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, silver cross pendant
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, red flower pendant
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, eagle dancer pendant
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, orange bird
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, silver stamped hairpin
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, green butterfly hairpin
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, buffalo belt buckle
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, blue flower pendant
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, Becky belt buckle
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
Blue Feather, Creek patchwork dress
Blue Feather
late 1970s
unrecorded Native American artist, floral hairpin
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
Katrina Miller, Miss Haskell Crown
Katrina Miller
2007
Eddie Tsalabutie (1925–1965), concho belt
Eddie Tsalabutie (1925–1965)
mid 1900s–1965
unrecorded Chaticks si Chaticks (Pawnee) artist, roach headdress
unrecorded Chaticks si Chaticks (Pawnee) artist
late 1800s–1928
Rita Belgarde (1918–2005), star quilt
Rita Belgarde (1918–2005)
1999
pair of beaded moccasins with heels
late 1800s–early 1900s
Mary Annette Clause, velvet shoulder bag
Mary Annette Clause
1993
Madeline Cartine, pair of moccasins
Madeline Cartine
1974–1975
unrecorded Ka’igwu (Kiowa) artist, bag with beaded flap
unrecorded Ka’igwu (Kiowa) artist
late 1800s–1950
Wolf Robe Hunt (1905–1977), bolo tie
Wolf Robe Hunt (1905–1977)
1900s
unrecorded Kainai (Blood) artist, beaded necktie and collar
unrecorded Kainai (Blood) artist
late 1800s–1950
Lorene Pokorea, belt ornament
Lorene Pokorea
late 1800s–1981
Kenneth Long Crow, pair of earrings
Kenneth Long Crow
1900s
Mrs. Lame Bull, pair of beaded moccasins
Mrs. Lame Bull
early 1900s–1919
unrecorded Chaticks si Chaticks (Pawnee) artist, pair of girl's leggings
unrecorded Chaticks si Chaticks (Pawnee) artist
late 1800s–1980
unrecorded Flathead artist, beaded bag with elk design
unrecorded Flathead artist
circa 1912
Lambert Homer (1917–1972); Dan Simplicio (1917–1969, active 1920s–1950s), tri-partite belt buckle
Lambert Homer (1917–1972); Dan Simplicio (1917–1969, active 1920s–1950s)
1960
unrecorded Ka’igwu (Kiowa) artist, pair of beaded moccasins
unrecorded Ka’igwu (Kiowa) artist
late 1800s–1996
Bernard Homer, bolo tie
Bernard Homer
late 1800s–1964
Lani Porter, quill wrapped bracelet
Lani Porter
1992
Jodi Webster (born 1977), Skoden
Jodi Webster (born 1977)
2023
Naiomi Glasses (born 1997); Polo Ralph Lauren, wool coat
Naiomi Glasses (born 1997); Polo Ralph Lauren
2024
Elias Jade Not Afraid (born 1990), Fry bread earrings
Elias Jade Not Afraid (born 1990)
2024
Mel Beaulieu (born 1995); The Beads Knees, Mister Hands
Mel Beaulieu (born 1995); The Beads Knees
2023
Steven Paul Judd; The NTVS (founded 2014), Merciless Indian Savages tee
Steven Paul Judd; The NTVS (founded 2014)
circa 2020
Indian Power pin
circa 1970s
Lauren Good Day (born 1978), Indigenous Barbie tee
Lauren Good Day (born 1978)
2023
Lisa LaRue-Baker (born 1962); Konrad Pumpkin Seed (born 2005), Remarkable MMIW
Lisa LaRue-Baker (born 1962); Konrad Pumpkin Seed (born 2005)
2024
unrecorded Native American artist, thunderbird pendant
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, bear claw pendant
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, abstract pendant 2
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
unrecorded Native American artist, abstract pendant 1
unrecorded Native American artist
1970s–1980s
Mona Cliff (Hanuk-gah-nee/Cloud she is Spotted) (born 1977), NDN-uity
Mona Cliff (Hanuk-gah-nee/Cloud she is Spotted) (born 1977)
2024
Ryia LeBeau (born 1998), Lady Sovereign
Ryia LeBeau (born 1998)
2024

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